Thesis Title: Sense of Coherence, Illness Perception and Quality of Life in Patients with Thalassemia
Student Name: Ammara Iftikhar
Supervisor: Shirin Gul
Degree: MSc
Year: 2016-2018
Abstract
The present research investigated the relationship between sense of coherence, illness perception and quality of life in patients with Thalassemia. Correlational research design was used and it was hypothesized that there would be a relationship between sense of coherence, illness perception and quality of life. Moreover, it was also hypothesized that sense of coherence and illness perception were likely to be significant predictors of quality of life in patients with Thalassemia. The sample of Thalessemic patients (N = 92) with age range 14-24 years and M = 19.40 and SD = 2.82 were taken from blood banks by using purposive sampling technique. The demographic information questionnaire along with clinical information sheet, and translated versions of Antonovysky’s Scale of Sense of Coherence (Antonovsyky, 1987), Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Broadbent, 2006) and Quality of Life Scale (Falanagen, 1970) were used. Pearson product moment correlation analysis indicated a significant negative relationship between sense of coherence and illness perception as well as between sense of coherence and quality of life. However, a significant positive relationship was found between illness perception and quality of life. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that sense of coherence was a significant negative predictor of quality of life. On the other hand, illness perception was significant positive predictors of quality of life. Findings have important implications as this study was conducted to understand the psychological aspects of quality of life in patients with thalassemia which may help to conceptualize and improve their quality of life by enhancing sense of coherence and positive Illness Perception.
Keywords: Sense of coherence, illness perception, quality of life, thalassemia.
