Mental Representations of Illness in Patients with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease: How Do Patients Perceive Their Condition?

Valentina E Di Mattei, Letizia Carnelli, Martina Mazzetti, Martina Bernardi, Rossella Di Pierro, Alice Bergamini, Giorgia Mangili, Massimo Candiani and Lucio Sarno

PLOS ONE, 2016, vol. 11, issue 4, 1-13

Abstract: Background: Gestational Trophoblastic Disease comprises a group of benign and malignant disorders that derive from the placenta. Using Leventhal’s Common-Sense Model as a theoretical framework, this paper examines illness perception in women who have been diagnosed with this disease. Methods: Thirty-one women diagnosed with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease in a hospital in Italy were asked to complete the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised to measure the following: illness Identity, illness opinions and causes of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease. Results: High mean scores were observed in the Emotional representations and Treatment control subscales. A significant difference emerged between hydatidiform mole patients and those with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia on the Identity subscale. A significant correlation emerged between “time since diagnosis” and the Treatment control subscale. Discussion: This study is the first to investigate illness perception in Gestational Trophoblastic Disease. From a clinical perspective the results highlight the need for multidisciplinary support programs to promote a more realistic illness perception.

Date: 2016
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0153869

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153869

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