Dissertation
African Americans, chronic health, and quality of life: application of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Model
University of Iowa
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
Spring 2023
DOI: 10.25820/etd.006999
Abstract
Quality of life (QOL) is a concept that has received considerable attention as an outcome in the field of rehabilitation. Given that QOL can be affected by a myriad of factors, including one’s physical health, it is highly relevant for persons with chronic illnesses and disabilities (CID). Research suggests that chronic health is associated with wide-ranging symptomology and consequently, restricted functioning which in turn, negatively impact life satisfaction and QOL. To date, few studies have comprehensively examined QOL in African Americans with chronic health conditions. To address the gap in the literature, application of theoretical models that examine the relationship between biopsychosocial factors and QOL for African Americans with chronic health conditions is necessary.
The purpose of this study was to utilize the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) model as a framework to predict QOL in African Americans with chronic health conditions. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to assess the contribution of each individual ICF construct, to QOL. Results from the hierarchical regression analysis suggest that environmental influences (e.g., social stigma, social discrimination), personal characteristics (e.g., hope, coping style, resilience), activity (e.g., activity limitations) and community integration (e.g., numbers of hours worked) accounted for 62% of the variance in QOL of African Americans with chronic health conditions. Evidence-based interventions focused on enhancing hope and style of coping while reducing the effects of social stigma and discrimination are likely to increase QOL outcomes for African Americans with chronic health conditions.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- African Americans, chronic health, and quality of life: application of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Model
- Creators
- Jamar Booth
- Contributors
- Noel Estrada-Hernández (Advisor)Jennifer Sanchez (Committee Member)John Wadsworth (Committee Member)Erin Barnes (Committee Member)Martin Kivlighan (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Counselor Education
- Date degree season
- Spring 2023
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.006999
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- xv, 136 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2023 Jamar Booth
- Language
- English
- Date submitted
- 04/26/2023
- Date approved
- 06/30/2023
- Description illustrations
- illustrations, tables
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 97-112).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
- Quality of life (QOL) is an important concept particularly for persons with chronic illnesses and disabilities (CID). It represents a subjective evaluation of one’s life that may be affected by the context in which they live, their expectations, personal values, and beliefs, in addition to the nature of their interpersonal relationships and health status. Research suggests that chronic health and its accompanying symptoms can negatively affect a person’s functional status, and therefore, their perceived life satisfaction and QOL. Currently, research on African Americans with chronic health conditions and QOL remains an area for further study. Contributing to the base of knowledge necessitates the application of health and disability models that examine the relationship between biological, individual, and societal factors and QOL for African Americans with chronic health conditions. This study sought to identify biopsychosocial predictors of QOL in African Americans with chronic health conditions. The World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) model was applied as a framework to substantiate the influence or impact of each ICF construct on QOL. Specifically, the ICF constructs in this study were operationalized as biophysiological factors, activity capacity/limitations, environmental contextual factors, personal contextual factors, and community integration. The findings of this study revealed that four of the five ICF constructs accounted for significant variance in QOL for African Americans with chronic health conditions. More specifically, life task limitations, social stigma, social discrimination, hope, coping style, resilience, and number of hours worked were found to be significant contributors to QOL. Results of this study support the ICF model as a predictor of QOL. The model could be used to guide the development of evidence-based interventions for African Americans living with chronic health.
- Academic Unit
- Counselor Education
- Record Identifier
- 9984425312502771
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