Illness Representations, Coping, and Quality of LifeIn Patients with Hepatitis C Undergoing Antiviral Therapy

     An individual’s personal view of illness is determined by a variety of factors including the cause of the illness, its consequences, the chronicity of the illness, the symptoms experienced, and the potential for recovery. Leventhal, Diefenbach, & Leventhal (1992) refer to this personal view of illness as an “illness representation.” These illness representations change over time and directly influence the coping strategies an individual uses to deal with the problems and emotions associated with the illness. Various emotional and physical outcomes result. One illness that is becoming prevalent is chronic hepatitis C, a virus that causes liver injury and eventually leads to the development of excessive fluid in the abdomen, changes in mental status, and high risk for bleeding. Individuals with hepatitis C often do not realize that they are infected with the virus until irreparable liver injury has occurred and a liver transplant is required.