Illness perceptions, coping and functioning in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and psoriasis.
The present cross-sectional study analyzed the extent to which illness perceptions and coping strategies (as measured by the Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Utrecht Coping List, respectively) are associated with levels of daily functioning, as indicated by the Medical Outcomes Study SF-20, and disease-specific measures in 244 adults: 84 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); 80 with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD); and 80 with psoriasis. The results of stepwise regression analyses indicated that a strong illness identity, passive coping, belief in a long illness duration, belief in more severe consequences, and an unfavorable score on medical variables were associated with worse outcome on disease-specific measures of functioning and on general role and social functioning. Coping by seeking social support and beliefs in controllability/curability of the disease were significantly related to better functioning. The implications of these findings for future interventions and research are discussed.
Scharloo
M
M
Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, University of Leiden, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands.
Kaptein
A A
AA
Weinman
J
J
Hazes
J M
JM
Willems
L N
LN
Bergman
W
W
Rooijmans
H G
HG
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000523:psychology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D012803:Sick Role; D012917:Social Adjustment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors