An international perspective on illness identity in adults with congenital heart disease: Associations with patient characteristics, National Culture and well-being

Background

Illness identity refers to the degree to which a severe health condition is integrated into a person's sense of identity. Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) vary in how they relate their CHD to their identity, which has implications for mental health, quality of life, and perceived health. This study explored inter-country variation in illness identity, and examined associations with patient characteristics and patient-reported outcomes in a large, international sample.