Assessment of positive effects of illness: Implications for an integrative approach of bio-psycho-socio-spiritual model

Approaches to treat and cope with chronic illness have drawn the attention towards the positive aspects of illness. patients of chronic illness may likely to experience growth and changes in personal,social and interactional life spheres. the present study examined the positive changes from the perspective of life philosophy and changes within self and in relationships with others. a sample of 85 patients of myocardial infarction comprising both genders and age ranging from 20-80 years were contacted from outdoor patient departments of different hospitals of rawalpindi region of pakistan. the findings demonstrated that patients do experience positive changes in different functional domains. moreover,patients' experience of positive benefits seems irrespective of age,gender,education,marital status,income and duration of the illness. the findings further persuade the directions of future research towards developing common modalities for the psychosocial rehabilitation of patients with chronic illness. the study carries implications to integrate the positive approach of illness within the therapeutic paradigm of bio-psycho-socio-spiritual model.