The Sense of Grip on Chronic disease: a mixed-method research with adults affected by Hereditary Angioedema

The condition of chronicity implies the need of a reorganization of one’s existence, both in the immediate and in the long term, due to the changes in personal resources and social roles and because of the constraints imposed by the disease. The Sense of Grip on Chronic Disease (SdiP-M) model intends to focus on the role of sensemaking processes in the psychological adjustment to illness, emphasizing the patient’s role and his skills in managing his health condition. In this study, the authors propose a mixed method research which implies the adaptation of the narrative interview on the Sense of Grip on chronic Disease. The interview was administered to 28 adults suffering from Hereditary Angioedema and has been analysed with a theory driven approach, aims at exploring the modalities of five narrative functions: temporal articulation, integration of the experience in everyday life, emotion regulation, social support and coping. Through a Multiple Corrispondence Analysis and a cluster analysis, the authors have identified three different Sense of Grip on Disease Profiles, representative of different degrees of flexibility, integration and adjustment to disease. Results suggest that Quality of Life is related to promotion of processes involved in Sense of Grip on Chronic Disease: these processes are relevant for supporting patient and healthcare system engagement.