Health-related hardiness and chronic illness: a synthesis of current research

Abstract

Topic: A critical analysis of the relationship between health-related hardiness and chronic illnesses based on a review of the literature.

Purpose: To synthesize the current literature in order to provide an understanding of the state of knowledge and the implications for nursing regarding health-related hardiness and chronic illness.

Sources: Three computerized databases, which yielded 125 articles published from 1966 to 2002.

Conclusions: The presence of the health-related hardiness characteristic was significantly related to psychological, psychosocial, and physiologic adaptation. Higher levels of hardiness had positive outcomes in patients with chronic illness. The implications are that the current knowledge base regarding health-related hardiness and chronic illness could be used to assist patients who have to manage not only one but also multiple chronic illnesses.