A Model of Single-Agent Illness Self-Regulation

Abstract

This article is an attempt to develop a formal model of single-actor\ud illness self-regulation; that is, a goal-oriented, emotional and cog-\ud nitive process based upon the creation of anticipated possible\ud futures that trigger plans, decisions, and actions aimed at correct-\ud ing the present state. The contemplated effects of the actions are\ud represented as a transition operator that hopefully transforms the\ud present state into a more desirable future state. As a case study,\ud the model is applied to the self-regulation of glycemia in type-2\ud diabetes. An outline for the extension of the model to multi-agent,\ud multidimensional self-regulation is also suggested