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Effect of satisfaction with one's abilities on positive and negative affect among individuals with recently diagnosed
S J Blalock1, M Orlando, E J Mutran
1Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-7330, USA.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect that self-evaluation processes have on psychologic well-being among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods:
The study used a longitudinal research design with 4 data collection points. Participants were 227 adults with recently diagnosed RA. Data were collected via mailed questionnaire and telephone interview. Two dimensions of psychologic well-being were assessed--positive affect and negative affect.
Results:
We found that, among participants who viewed the abilities being evaluated as very important, greater satisfaction at time 1 was associated with less negative affect at time 2 and time 4. Satisfaction was not associated with positive affect at any of the time points, however.
Conclusion:
Study findings indicate that dissatisfaction with illness-related abilities can exacerbate psychologic distress. The findings also highlight the need for research examining the role that positive affect plays in adaptation to RA.