The current study investigated the relationship between self-esteem, social intimacy and illness intrusion in individuals with a chronic illness currently taking prednisone and individuals with a chronic illness not currently taking prednisone. The researcher hypothesized that participants with a chronic illness currently taking prednisone would have lower self-esteem, less satisfying social relationships and more illness intrusion than participants with a chronic illness who were not currently taking prednisone. It was also hypothesized that increased severity of side effects would be related to lower self-esteem, less satisfying social relationships and more illness intrusion in participants currently taking prednisone compared to participants not currently taking prednisone.

One hundred and one participants were recruited from internet advertisements. There were 41 participants in the group currently taking prednisone and 60 participants in the group of participants with a chronic illness but not currently using prednisone. Participants were directed to a surveymonkey.com account. Participants reported demographic information, medical information, as well as completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1989), Miller Social Intimacy Scale (1982) and the Adapted Illness Intrusiveness Scale (2001).

Results were not statistically significant for the relationship between participants currently using prednisone, self-esteem, social intimacy and illness intrusion. However, a significant relationship between specific side effects and self-esteem, social intimacy and illness intrusion was found for all participants currently taking medication, regardless of the medication being taken.