RESUMO
In the last two decades, the life expectancy for individuals with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) has increased significantly. The limited research examining the psychosocial experiences of young adults with CF indicates that other young adults lack awareness and understanding of CF. Using the Illness Perception Questionnaire, perceptions of CF were examined in individuals with CF aged 16 to 25 and two groups of same-aged peers: those who did, or did not, know someone with CF. ANOVA with pairwise comparisons revealed that individuals with CF perceived significantly fewer physical symptoms of illness and fewer emotional and practical consequences of CF than both groups of peers. Individuals with CF also perceived significantly more personal control and greater understanding of CF than peers without experience of CF. Implications for enhancing opportunities for social engagement and for the provision of social support for young people with CF are identified.
