Multi-Morbidity and Illness Trajectories: Illness Experiences of Women with Depression and Diabetes

• In Event: 3129 - Section on Medical Sociology Refereed Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 28. Narratives about Chronic Illness

Abstract

Although sociologists and other social researchers have produced a rich body of literature on illness careers and illness trajectories (e.g. Pescosolido 1991; Aneshensel 2013), that canon has been based, largely, on experiences of singular diseases/conditions. However, more complex disease patterns have been emerging with implications that complicate our understanding of how people experience illness. Populations, in the U.S. and internationally, are realizing both increased longevity and the persistence of long-term chronic conditions. As a result, we see an increase in multi-morbidities, the simultaneous existence of two or more health conditions, particularly among disadvantaged groups (WHO, 2016). The purpose of this paper is to address the need to build upon existing theoretical constructs (illness trajectories) to more robustly capture the lived experience of those living with multi-morbid conditions, specifically both somatic and psychiatric chronic conditions.

Author

• Debbie A. Potter, University of Louisville