Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the structure of psycho-social factors regarding the image of illness. Self-report questionnaires to patients and physicians were administered and the were analyzed statistically. The subjects results were informed of the purpose of the study and consented to participate in. There were 101 subjects. 77 hematological disease patients and 24 of their physicians-in-charge. The survey was conducted from December 1994 to October 1995. According to path analysis, there were the following findings: (1) the depression of the patients was influenced directly by the distress of the symptoms and the image of the illness, (2) the distress of the symptoms, the interpersonal dependent behavior and the perceived emotional support from the physicians influenced patients'depression indirectly through the image of the illness, and (3) patients'perceived emotional support from physicians tended to be influenced negatively by the distress of symptoms and positively by the physician's sense of esteem for others.
