PREDICTORS OF QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ADULTS WHO HAVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS.
Contributors: Case Western Reserve University.
Published: 1989
Number of pages: 232
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: This study explored the relationships between perceptions of quality of life (QOL), control, uncertainty, social support, ways of coping, severity of arthritis and demographic characteristics for adults who had rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition, the influence of time since diagnosis on these perceptions and predictors of quality of life were identified.

The sample included 96 persons who had RA for an average of 12.2 (SD = 8.7) years. Their mean age was 48 years (SD = 10). Eighty-eight percent (n = 84) were women and 12% (n = 12) were men.

Quality of life measured by Linear Analog Scale (LAS) was greater for men (r = $-$.22), and married (r =.28), and employed (r =.20) subjects. Perception of greater QOL measured by LAS and Quality of Life Index (QOLI) total, as well as Health and Socioeconomic Domains was associated with lower severity of arthritis; that is, fewer problems (r = $-$.18 to $-$.55), better function (r =.23 to.28) and less pain (r =.25 to.31).

Quality of life increased with increased mastery, or control over life in general (r =.19 to.45), and satisfaction with social support (r =.31 to.55) for all QOL measures. Lower uncertainty was related to greater QOL (LAS r =.27, QOLI r =.32, and Health Domain r =.48). Quality of life increased with perception of greater control over arthritis (for LAS r =.27; QOLI r =.24; and, Health Domain r =.36).

Subjects who reported greater QOL reported greater use of distancing strategies to manage their arthritis (r =.18 to.35). Lower use of avoidance (r = $-$.23), confrontation (r = $-$.20) and problem solving (r = $-$.21) were related to greater quality of Health Domain.

Greater time since diagnosis was significantly related to only greater use of self control to manage arthritis (r =.25).

Mastery and satisfaction with social support were the best predictors of quality of life and entered each path model. Path models accounted for 24% of the variance of overall QOL - LAS, 45% of QOLI total, 58% of Health Domain, 23% of Socioeconomic Domain, and 39% of each of the Psychospiritual and Family Domains. Further research is required about trajectory of illness, the meaning of having arthritis and how quality of life is managed.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-03, Section: B, page: 1193.

Thesis (PH.D.)--CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY (HEALTH SCIENCES), 1989.

School code: 0499.