title: Well-being among older adults with OA: direct and mediated patterns of control beliefs, optimism and pessimism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the contribution of important psychological resources (i.e. optimism, pessimism, control beliefs) to the psychological well-being of older adults with Osteoarthritis (OA); to assess the direct and mediated association of these psychosocial resources to outcomes (depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, and self-esteem). These objectives are important because OA is a significant stressor, treatments are limited, and psychological functioning is at risk for those coping with the condition, even compared to other chronic illnesses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey of 160 community-dwelling older adults with OA (81% women). Participants were not randomly selected, but nonetheless reflected the demographic makeup of the selection area.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ordinary least squares regression analyses using the PROCESS macro revealed that optimism and pessimism were associated with higher depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem indirectly through constraints beliefs. The analysis of life satisfaction showed that optimism and pessimism were each partially mediated through mastery and constraints beliefs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that prior research, which has assessed these psychological resources as having singular relationships to outcomes, may have underestimated the importance of the relationship between these variables. We discuss possible points of intervention for older adults with OA who may experience increasing constraints beliefs over time.
authors: School of Psychological Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, United States. aurora.sherman@oregonstate.edu
authors: Aurora M
authors: AM
authors: Sherman
authors: Kelly A
authors: KA
authors: Cotter
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001900:Boston / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010551:Personality; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept