Health Beliefs and Coping with Chronic Diseases

Health Beliefs and Coping with Chronic Diseases argues that a patient’s faith, cultural beliefs and attitude play a critical role in his/her recovery from various chronic diseases. Based on empirical studies conducted by the author and his colleagues, it highlights the role of social, psychological and spiritual factors in restoring and maintaining good health. In traditional societies like India, people frequently make attributions to God and Karma theory, which have significant bearings on the way they seek remedies—both medicinal and spiritual, and may visit both a medical doctor and a faith healer. Multiple therapeutic paradigms which offer their services need to be understood from the psycho-social-spiritual perspective as well.