title: Group psychosocial program for enhancing psychological well-being of people with systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Emotional ups and downs are common among people with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) as they live with fears about treatment, pain from the illness and unexpected "flare-ups." The side effects of medications have a severe impact on their self-esteem and lead to psychological distress. This paper reports a study on the impact of a psychosocial group program on the self-esteem and psychosocial functioning of people with SLE. A total of 56 people with SLE were recruited to participate in a 6-week, 2.5-hour weekly session psychosocial group. The group served to equip members with knowledge and skills to cope with SLE and stress arising from the illness, to enhance their self-confidence and develop a positive attitude toward the illness, and to enhance their social support network. The members were assessed before the commencement and during the last session of the groups with Rosenberg's Self-esteem Inventory and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30). Results showed that members obtained better scores in self-esteem (p < 0.001) and GHQ (p < 0.001) after the group. The study revealed significant positive changes in self-esteem and psychosocial functioning of people with SLE after the psychosocial group program. The implications for psychosocial programs for people with SLE are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of SocialWork, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong. petrus@net1.hkbu.edu.hk
authors.forename: Petrus
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Winky
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011584:Psychology; D011594:Psychometrics; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome