title: Psychological well-being among people with recently diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis. Do self-perceptions of abilities make a difference?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Satisfaction with abilities and perceived importance of abilities are 2 factors involved in the process of self-evaluation. We examined the role that these factors play in adjustment to rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected, via telephone interview and mailed questionnaire, from 234 individuals with recently diagnosed RA. Disease severity information was obtained from participants' physicians.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consistent with study hypotheses, satisfaction was associated with psychological well-being only among those who viewed as very important the abilities being evaluated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings increase understanding of the conditions under which low levels of satisfaction are likely to be associated with psychological distress.
authors.affiliation: Thurston Arthritis Research Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7330.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Blalock
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: DeVellis
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: DeVellis
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Giorgino
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Sauter
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Keefe
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Mutran
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors