Illness acceptance in adolescents: A concept analysis

Abstract

Aim To strengthen the theoretical understanding of illness acceptance in adolescents and to inform healthcare strategies geared toward supporting adolescents with chronic illness. Background Illness acceptance is associated with positive health outcomes. Though well understood in adults with chronic illness, less is known about how this phenomenon ensues in adolescents. Adolescents may have a difficult time accepting an illness due to their unique developmental needs. Consequently, they are vulnerable to poor health outcomes. Design Concept analysis. Data Sources A literature search through 2 databases (PubMed and PsycINFO) and a hand‐search through Google were conducted to identify uses of the concept. Review Methods The Walker and Avant method of concept analysis. Results Four attributes of illness acceptance were identified: understanding of illness, overcoming limitations, normalization, and readiness for responsibility. Antecedents that predisposed illness acceptance included peer and family support, disease management education, and developmental readiness. Positive consequences of illness acceptance included high self‐esteem, improved quality of life, resilience, identity formation, and better disease control. Conclusions Establishing a standardized conceptual understanding of how illness acceptance ensues in adolescents can enable nurses and other health professionals to tailor developmentally appropriate care strategies and optimize the overall quality of life for this unique patient population.

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