Patterns of change over time in learned response to chronic illness among participants in a systemic lupus erythematosus self‐help course

The findings of this descriptive study of learned response to chronic illness over time of 291 persons having a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who had attended a series of self‐management classes demonstrated significant change in learned response over time. Self‐help model variables that significantly contributed to the change were uncertainty, depression, enabling skill, self‐efficacy, and self‐worth. Uncertainty and depression decreased over time while enabling skill, self‐efficacy, and self‐worth increased. Subjects also demonstrated significant increases in self‐help course tied variables of SLE knowledge and both the range and number of rest, relaxation, heat, and exercise activities.