Related Experiment Videos
Self-evaluation processes and adjustment to rheumatoid arthritis.
S J Blalock1, B M deVellis, R F deVellis
1Rehabilitation Program Office, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7200.
Arthritis and Rheumatism
|October 1, 1988
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) impacts psychological well-being, but patient satisfaction with physical abilities mediates this effect. How patients make social comparisons also influences their well-being, explaining varied psychological outcomes in RA patients.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Rheumatology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) significantly affects patients' psychological well-being.
- Understanding the factors mediating this impact is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if patient evaluation of physical abilities mediates the relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psychological well-being.
- To examine the roles of satisfaction with physical abilities and social comparisons in this mediation.
Main Methods:
- Interviewed 75 women diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Assessed psychological well-being, physical ability satisfaction, and social comparison strategies.
Main Results:
- Satisfaction with physical abilities was found to mediate the link between physical impairment and psychological well-being in RA patients.
- Patient satisfaction was influenced by both perceived physical abilities and the nature of their social comparisons.
- Social comparison type moderated the relationship between physical function and psychological outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Patient satisfaction with physical function is a key mediator of psychological well-being in rheumatoid arthritis.
- Interventions focusing on enhancing satisfaction and promoting adaptive social comparisons may improve psychological outcomes for RA patients.
- These findings offer insights into the heterogeneity of psychological distress among individuals with similar RA physical limitations.