Depression, illness perception and coping in rheumatoid arthritis.
This study aimed to establish the relationship between depression, illness perception, coping strategies, and adverse childhood events in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Sixty-two out-patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Illness Perception Questionnaire, London Coping with Rheumatoid Arthritis Questionnaire, and Childhood Development Questionnaire, and underwent a clinical assessment of their physical state. Depressed patients were more disabled than the nondepressed, had a more negative view of their illness, and used more negative coping strategies. There was no association between depression and childhood adversity. Once disability was controlled for, there continued to be a significant correlation between depression and: (i) viewing the consequences of the illness negatively (Spearman's correlation coefficient [r]=0.37, p=0.003); and (ii) the perceived ability to control the illness (r= -0.26, p=0.04). The relationship between depression and negative coping strategies became insignificant. This study indicates the close relationship between depression and a negative view of the illness.
Murphy
H
H
Department of Psychological Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, University of Manchester, UK.
Dickens
C
C
Creed
F
F
Bernstein
R
R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires