STRESS FACTORS, EMOTIONAL STRESS, AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS DISEASE ACTIVITY.
Contributors: Catholic University of America.
Published: 1984
Number of pages: 122
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is the most prevalent crippling disease in America today yet the cause and cure remain unknown (Arthritis Foundation, 1981). It is thought that the origin might be within the immune system due to histologic and serologic abnormalities (Ziff, 1974). Genetic factors may also be involved (Bellante, 1979). However, the trigger which initiates RA symptoms remains unknown. It has been hypothesized that emotional stress may play an important role in the onset of RA due to the frequency with which major life events are reported to have occurred just prior to disease manifestation (King & Cobb, 1958; Baker & Brewerton, 1981). However, the role of emotional stress in RA disease activity, once the disease has become established, has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship among stress factors, emotional stress and RA disease activity. A correlational research design was used to describe how the variables systematically varied together. Data were collected on 101 subjects with a confirmed diagnosis of RA. Each subject completed three assessment tools designed to measure stress factors and emotional stress level. Subjects were also evaluated for RA disease activity through subjective and objective measures. Data analysis indicated a statistically significant, positive correlation between all assessed RA disease parameters and emotional stress level. Additional findings indicated that RA subjects were most troubled by stress factors that focused on health issues, practical considerations, and financial concerns.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 45-05, Section: B, page: 1428.

Thesis (D.N.SC.)--THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA, 1984.

School code: 0043.