Interest in the processes by which people cope with stress has grown dramatically over the past decade. In the present study the role of coping strategies and social support in perceived illness consequences and illness controllability beliefs among diabetic women (n = 100) were studied. It was found that approach coping strategies reduced the severity of perceived illness consequences, whereas avoidance coping strategies increased the severity of perceived illness consequences. The approach strategies of coping were positively correlated to self and doctors’ control. The patients characterised by high level of social support felt less severe consequences of illness. These findings are discussed in the context of the current analyses of lay theories and also folk models of illness find due representation.

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The present study examines the relationship between illness beliefs and coping strategies in diabetic women patients. Measures of illness beliefs and coping strategies were administered to 100 diabetic women.

Research has demonstrated facilitative effects of social support on psychological and physical well-being of individuals suffering from chronic health problems. Social support can change not only patients' perception of their health problems, but also the consequences of their illness. In the present study with cervix cancer patients, the relationship of social support and illness control agency with illness consequences and health outcome beliefs was examined. Emotional, informational, social companionship and practical supports were found to be negatively correlated with the severity of interpersonal, physiological and psychological consequences of illness. Patients' belief in self-control and doctor-control was related to less severity and less pain of illness, and strong hope for better health outcomes.

The study examines the role of health-promoting lifestyle and illness control beliefs in well-being of obese diabetic women. Measures of illness control belief, health-promoting lifestyle and obesity-related well-being were given to 100 obese diabetic women selected from outdoors of hospitals in Varanasi. Analysis revealed patients' stronger belief in 'doctor-control' and 'supernatural-control' than 'self-control' of the disease. Nutrition, interpersonal relations, physical activity and stress management were given more importance in health promotion than spiritual growth-related practices. Belief in 'self-control' and 'doctor-control' of disease was negatively correlated with 'psychosocial discomfort', 'physical discomfort' and 'psychosocial impact' aspects of obesity, whereas 'supernatural-control' showed positive relationship with all aspects. All components of 'health-promoting lifestyle' were negatively correlated with 'physical discomfort', 'psychosocial discomfort'