The Effect of Chronic Illness on Self-esteem as a Function of Perceived Social Support

Chronic illnesses affect a significant portion of the population, leading to long-term disabilities and a poorer quality of life, which is associated with poor self-esteem. The present research examines the role of perceived social support in mitigating the negative impact of chronic illness on self-esteem. The study builds on correlational research by investigating whether a simulated chronic illness diagnosis causes lower self-esteem and whether perceived social support reduces or prevents this effect. Using an experimental treatment designed to simulate the experience of receiving a chronic illness diagnosis, 328 participants completed measures assessing physical symptoms the participant has been experiencing for the past month (such as dizziness and backache), social support, and self-esteem. Results indicate a significant main effect of social support, with higher levels associated with higher self-esteem. Additionally, symptoms were associated with lower self-esteem. Social support seemed to mitigate the negative association between symptoms and self-esteem. There was no effect of the experimental manipulation; however, a nonsignificant trend suggested that individuals with fewer symptoms reported lower self-esteem after receiving a simulated diagnosis unless they had higher social support. These findings underscore the importance of social support in bolstering self-esteem amidst chronic illness challenges, offering implications for interventions aimed at enhancing the well-being of individuals living with chronic conditions. Future research could explore longitudinal outcomes and replicate the study with a larger sample size to bolster statistical power and validate these findings further