THE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH EXCESS DISABILITY IN ARTHRITIC ELDERLY PATIENTS (DEPRESSION, LOCUS OF CONTROL, SELF ESTEEM).
Contributors: University of Illinois at Chicago.
Published: 1996
Number of pages: 147
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Gerontology.; Psychology, Clinical.
Description: This cross-sectional study investigated the occurrence of excess disability, the relationships among pain, disability and psychological status, and the dimensions of total disability in arthritic elderly aged 55 years and over.

One hundred elderly persons who had rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis were interviewed in two rheumatology clinics. The results showed that total disability was correlated to pain and psychological status such as depression, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. Factor analysis also provides evidence that a multidimensional model is useful in explaining the impact of arthritis in total disability. A total of 57.28% of variance of total disability was explained by four factors: psychological, clinical, demographic and other factor.

No significant differences were found among the patients with excess disability and those without excess disability with respect to means of depression, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and locus of control. However, this study confirms that excess disability and depression actually exists in some arthritic elderly, although the prevalence rate of excess disability varies due to different measures. It is suggested that nurse should be aware of these problems and nursing interventions should be multidimensional to manage or prevent patient's disability.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-04, Section: B, page: 2475.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO, 1996.

School code: 0799.