Why do people use different forms of complementary medicine? Multivariate associations between treatment and illness beliefs and complementary medicine use

Authors: Bishop, Felicity L.¹; Yardley, Lucy¹; Lewith, George T.²

Source: Psychology and Health, Volume 21, Number 5, October 2006 , pp. 683-698(16)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $50.43 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

This study investigated associations between complementary medicine use and treatment and illness beliefs. Previously validated questionnaire measures of treatment beliefs, illness beliefs, and complementary medicine use were presented and advertised online. Completed questionnaires were received from 247 participants. Logistic regression analysis showed that demographic characteristics, treatment beliefs, and illness beliefs accounted for approximately 36% of the variance in complementary medicine use. Separate analyses were conducted to predict use of different types of complementary medicine. The strength of associations between beliefs and complementary medicine use was related to the type of complementary medicine used. The results suggest that people use complementary medicine because they are attracted to it rather than because they are disillusioned with orthodox medicine, and that both treatment and illness beliefs have an important role in explaining why people use complementary medicine.

Keywords: Complementary medicine; CAM; treatment beliefs; illness beliefs; questionnaire

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14768320500444216

Affiliations: 1: School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK 2: Complementary Medicine Research Unit, Primary Medical Care, Aldermoor Health Centre, Adermoor Close, Southampton, UK

Publication date: 2006-10-01