Denial and affirmation in illness and health

Abstract

Previous research showed that patients with life-threatening illnesses have improved chances of survival if, rather than recognizing the serious consequences of their illness, they employ the psychological defense mechanism of denial. Unexamined psychological factors whcih promote a positive view of health may be of equal or greater importance in explaining those results. Health care professionals, concerned with diagnosis and treatment, primarily focus attention on illness and its denial or recognition. A 4-cell paradigm of illness, health, denial and affirmation is presented, and illustrated with examples of common problems in medical care.