title: Factor structure of the Arthritis Helplessness Index.
abstract: The factor structure of the Arthritis Helplessness Index (AHI) was examined using principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation. Data for the initial factor analysis came from a longitudinal study of 368 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Two slightly negatively correlated (r = -0.21) subscales emerged: internality and helplessness. This analysis was cross-validated twice. Findings reveal that the 2 subscales of the AHI are more reliable and valid than the total score. The 5 item helplessness subscale, in particular, appears to be a highly valid indicator of the degree to which patients with RA feel overwhelmed by their disease.
authors: Health Care Research Project, School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240.
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Stein
authors: K A
authors: KA
authors: Wallston
authors: P M
authors: PM
authors: Nicassio
mesh_terms: D001168:Arthritis / Q000523:psychology*; D006380:Helplessness, Learned; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013223:Statistics as Topic