Relationship between inner well-being and illness behavioral pattern in patients

"Inner well-being" is the scientific name for people's assessment of their own life. Illness behavior is a process that involves understanding and interpretation of symptoms, assessment of possible reactions, and ultimately, making decision to deal with symptoms or ignore them. The present study seeks to find out whether there is a relationship between inner well-being and pattern of illness behavior. This study was conducted on a sample of 297 residents of the city, selected according to random sampling from a population consisting of patients aged 20 years and older attending hospitals and health centers (regardless of type of illness). Data were collected through a combination of standard Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, Diener's Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and Illness Behavior Pattern Inventory. Results obtained showed a significant difference between level of inner well-being and type of illness. Those visiting health centers immediately after onset of symptoms had the highest level of inner well-being, and those that never visited had the lowest. People that visited one physician only reported the highest level of inner well-being. Socio-economic and cultural status are the major factors affecting pattern of illness behavior. The present study showed inner well-being is one of the variables that can affect pattern of illness behavior.