The Impact of Internal and External Resources on Functional Outcome in Chronic Illness

Abstract

This study\u27s purpose was to determine if internal and or external resources could deter negative consequences of physiologic stress in chronic illness. Resource theory was used to test relationships over time among stress (physiologic), distress (functional outcome), and resources (internal—well-being; external—social network). A secondary analysis was done on data from 112 persons with end stage renal disease, collected yearly over 3 years. Physiologic stressors were strongly associated with higher levels of physical dysfunction. Resources were generally unable to reduce deleterious effects of physiologic stress on functional outcomes; functional outcomes were largely determined by preexisting levels of function