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The aim of this research project is to explore accuracy of symptom perception, -a precondition for any successful health management-, by combining psychophysiological research with research and theory development in social psychology. A chronic disease is not only a threat to personal well-being, but also a potential threat to a positive self-concept. It has been shown that individuals strategically shift from a potentially negative evaluated aspect of their self to aspects that are more positively evaluated by themselves and relevant others. It can be assumed that such shifts away from a chronic disease as a part of ones identity can alter attention towards symptoms, as well as interpretation and evaluation of ambiguous internal sensations. Misinterpretation of internal sensations, however, can be regarded as major cause for poor disease-management, such as overuse of medication or delay in seeking help, both having the potential to lead to a fatal outcome. The aim of this research project is to explore the role of social identity focus in information processing in the perception of internal sensations. Furthermore, we explore the role of self-categorization as patient and the coherent integration of the self-aspect ‘patient’ within the self-concept for health management in every day life. |
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