CORTISONE IMAGE AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT BY KEY FIGURES IN PATIENTS WITHBRONCHIAL-ASTHMA - AN EMPIRICAL-STUDY

In a subgroup of patients with bronchial asthma, irrational fears of s teroid medication can be observed beyond justified worries about side- effects. A cortisone image which involves overemphasizing the threaten ing aspects of cortisone often underlies non-compliant illness behavio ur. In the present study, cortisone image and the relationship with a key figure was investigated in 62 patients with bronchial asthma, all of whom had participated in a structured asthma treatment and teaching programme (ATTP). The data show that (1) perceiving cortisone as thre atening predicts poor adherence to ATTP guidelines how to manage sever e attacks, and (2) patients having a supportive relationship with thei r key figure are less likely to experience threatening aspects of cort isone.