Fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: the role of self-efficacy and problematic social support.
Title
Fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: the role of self-efficacy and problematic social support.
Creator
Riemsma RP; Rasker JJ; Taal E; Griep EN; Wouters JM; Wiegman O
Identifier
Publisher
Rheumatology
Date
1998
Subject
Social Support and Chronic Pain
Description
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship of fatigue in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with self-efficacy, positive and problematic aspects of social support, and demographic and disease-related variables. METHOD: Out-patients with at least 5 yr RA were studied. Fatigue was measured with a visual analogue scale. Other variables included were: positive social support [Social Support List-Interactions (SSL12-I)] and problematic social support; self-efficacy towards coping with RA and towards mobilizing support; health status (Dutch-AIMS2); and laboratory tests: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), haemoglobin (Hb) and rheumatoid factor (RF); and disease duration. RESULTS: A total of 229 out-patients were included. Fatigue correlated with all scales of the Dutch-AIMS2: with pain, physical function and affect (P < 0.001). There was no significant correlation with social support, but there was a highly significant correlation of fatigue with problematic social support (P < 0.001). Both forms of self-efficacy correlated strongly with fatigue: patients with high self-efficacy expectations towards coping with RA, and towards mobilizing the social network (P < 0.001), had less fatigue. In the regression analysis to explain the variation in fatigue, only pain, self-efficacy expectations towards coping with RA, and towards asking for help and problematic social support remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue can to a large extent (37%) be explained by pain, self-efficacy towards coping with RA, and towards asking for help and problematic social support. It is known that self-efficacy can be enhanced by self-management courses and it may thus be possible to improve fatigue.
1998-10
Rights
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Type
Journal Article
Citation List Month
Backlog
Citation
Riemsma RP; Rasker JJ; Taal E; Griep EN; Wouters JM; Wiegman O, “Fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: the role of self-efficacy and problematic social support.,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed February 11, 2025, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/11703.