The rise of complementary self-care: A national sociological study of women's strategies for coping and living with chronic illness

Funding: 2014: $150,000
2015: $100,000
2016: $100,000

Project Member(s): Adams, J., Davidson, P., Sibbritt, D.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC Discovery Projects)
University of Queensland (The University of Queensland)

Start year: 2014

Summary: Conventional approaches to chronic illness in Australia have failed to meet the complex needs of sufferers, leading to an exponential rise in interest in and use of complementary self-care, particularly amongst women. In this study, drawing on a unique national sample of women suffering from chronic illnesses, we will provide critical insight into women's complementary self-care practices and structures of disadvantage. This study will be the first worldwide to document previously 'hidden' complementary self-care practices, providing a new framework for understanding and promoting women's health and wellbeing in the context of chronic illness.

Publications:

Cramer, H, Lauche, R, Adams, J, Frawley, J, Broom, A & Sibbritt, D 2020, 'Is Depression Associated with Unhealthy Behaviors among Middle-Aged and Older Women with Hypertension or Heart Disease?', Women's Health Issues, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 35-40.
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Adams, J, Prior, JH, Sibbritt, D, Connon, I, Dunston, R, McIntyre, E & Lauche, R 2019, 'Women’s Health and Complementary and Integrative Medicine' in Adams, J, Steel, A, Broom, A & Frawley, J (eds), Women's Health and Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Routledge, New York, pp. 77-94.
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Adams, J, McIntyre, E, Frawley, J, Lauche, R, Broom, A & Sibbritt, D 2019, 'Formal and informal healthcare behaviours of women with chronic illness: A cross‐sectional analysis of 1925 women', International Journal of Clinical Practice, vol. 73, no. 4, p. e13343.
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Lauche, R, Sibbritt, D, Adams, J & Cramer, H 2019, 'Characteristics of yoga and meditation users among older Australian women – results from the 45 and up study', Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, vol. 35, pp. 219-223.
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McIntyre, E, Lauche, R, Frawley, J, Sibbritt, D, Reddy, P & Adams, J 2019, 'Physical activity and depression symptoms in women with chronic illness and the mediating role of health-related quality of life', Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 252, pp. 294-299.
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Meredith, S, Frawley, J, Adams, J & Sibbritt, D 2018, 'The Utilization of Health Services and Self-Care by Older Women With Sleeping Problems: Results From a Nationally Representative Sample of 9,110 Women', Journal of Aging and Health, vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 540-558.
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Yang, L, Peng, W, Adams, J & Sibbritt, DW 2018, 'Treating People with Arthritis with Traditional Chinese Medicine (Tcm): An Examination of the Perception of Tcm Practitioners', Acupuncture in Medicine, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 228-239.
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Yang, L, Peng, W, Adams, J & Sibbritt, D 2017, 'Prevalence and characteristics of Australian women aged 45 and older who consult acupuncturists for their osteoarthritis', International Journal of Clinical Practice, vol. 71, no. 12, pp. 1-8.
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Keywords: sociology,medical sociology,health social science

FOR Codes: Sociology not elsewhere classified, Women's Health, Sociology not elsewhere classified , Women's and maternal health

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.