Self-perceived Burden: A Critical Evolutionary Concept Analysis

The purpose of this article is to critically analyze the concept of self-perceived burden. The Rodgers Evolutionary Model is augmented with concept critique, a dialogic process grounded in critical hermeneutics. Self-perceived burden is a relatively mature concept with psychological, relational, and dimensional attributes that are shaped by culture and sociopolitical structures. The antecedents are demographics, circumstances, diagnoses, symptoms, prognosis, comorbidities, and knowledge and beliefs. The consequences are psychological, decisional, relational, and existential. Sociocultural factors such as universal health coverage, Confucian ethics, Buddhist/Taoist ethics, karma, and individualist- versus communitarian-based relationships are brought to light. Psychological and relational antecedents and consequences of self-perceived burden were found to be salient.