Date Approved

1997

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Nursing (M.S.N.)

Degree Program

College of Nursing

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to contribute to theory regarding the self-care agency in a population of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients ≥ 11 years of age (n=30). The following research questions were addressed: (1) w hat is the level of self-care in a group of CF patients; (2) what is the relationship between self-care and the basic conditioning factors of age, gender, years since diagnosis, and severity of illness; and (3) what is the relationship between locus of control and self-care.

Baker’s Cystic Fibrosis Self-Care Practice Instrument was used to measure CF self-care. Wallston’s Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Form A was used to measure general health beliefs, and Form C was used to measure health behefs specific to CF. Shwachman score was used to measure severity of illness and demographic information was obtained on all subjects.

Results of this study indicate that those patients who viewed their CF physician(s) as controlling their health were the patients who scored highest on self-care. No significant correlations were found between self-care and age, gender, years with CF, and severity of illness.

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