Behavioral correlates of health and illness in youths with chronic illness

Relationships between and among general health behavior, illness management behavior, indicators of health (functional, physical/mental, and perceived health status) and indicators of illness (duration, control, and perception of severity) were compared across five samples of youth with either insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or asthma. Descriptive data indicated that youths performed approximately 72% of the health and illness management behaviors recommended by health professionals. General health behavior and illness management behavior were significantly related (r = .39 to .62; p < .05). General health behavior was more consistently related to indicators of health (r = .37 to .62; p < .001) than to indicators of illness. Illness management behavior was not related to indicators of illness either. However, illness management behavior was significantly related to higher perception of health status (r = .35, .48; p < .001). Interestingly, there were no relationships between health and illness indicators. These findings challenge nurses to address general health behavior as well as illness management in practice and to raise questions as to whether illness management improves illness status or if illness status influences health status when health is viewed from a nursing perspective. Knowing the links between behavior and relevant health and illness outcomes will facilitate identification and movement toward goals of improved health and may account for intervention failure.