| Abstract: | ![]()
Argues that despite the widespread assumption that psychological processes play an important role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and despite the recent intense activity in health psychology, RA has been ignored by psychological researchers. Questions concerning the extent and variability of dysfunction resulting from RA and the coping mechanisms that may mediate functional capacity are raised. The background literature to address these questions is reviewed, including information concerning diagnostic problems and approaches, adjustment to RA, and methodological problems in studies to date. It is suggested that the literature is clouded by diagnostic inconsistencies and neglect of the variety of areas of adjustment that may be affected by the disease, including employment and financial, physical (including pain), social, self-concept, and emotional. A project underway at the University of Saskatchewan, in which RA patients are being studied for coping behaviors that may contribute to their adaptation and functional capacity, is introduced as one means of addressing some of the outstanding issues in the area. (French abstract) (63 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
