Which of the following factors has the greatest impact on a person's ability to cope with illness?

• A. Socioeconomic status
• B. Access to medication
• C. Genetic predisposition
• D. Perceived social support

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of coping with illness, which refers to how individuals manage the psychological and physical challenges posed by health problems.
2. Step 2: Recognize that various factors can influence coping ability, including socioeconomic status, access to medication, genetic predisposition, and perceived social support.
3. Step 3: Analyze each factor's role: socioeconomic status affects resources and stress levels; access to medication influences treatment effectiveness; genetic predisposition relates to vulnerability; perceived social support involves emotional and practical help from others.
4. Step 4: Review psychological research findings that highlight perceived social support as a critical factor because it provides emotional comfort, reduces stress, and promotes adaptive coping strategies.
5. Step 5: Conclude that among the options, perceived social support has the greatest impact on a person's ability to cope with illness due to its direct influence on mental and emotional resilience.