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Prospective contributions of attributional style and arthritis helplessness to disability in rheumatoid arthritis

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Abstract

This study examined the differential predictive utility of attributional style and arthritis helplessness on self-report and observer-report measures of disability. Forty-two individuals from an outpatient rheumatology clinic were followed over the course of 1 year and completed measures of attributional style, arthritis helplessness, depression, pain, and disability at Time 1 and Time 2. Objective measures of functional disability were completed by a physician’s assistant after routine physical examinations at both time periods. Results revealed that a pessimistic attributional style at Time 1 significantly predicted lower self-rated disability at Time 2. Similarly, greater arthritis helplessness at Time 1 predicted lower physician-rated disability at Time 2. Results are discussed with particular focus on the utility of differential disability assessments and the potential role of cognitive-behavioral interventions in treating individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, 215 North Murray Hall, 74078, Stillwater, OK, USA

    Kevin A. Hommel, Janelle L. Wagner, John M. Chaney & Larry L. Mullins

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  1. Kevin A. Hommel
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  2. Janelle L. Wagner
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  3. John M. Chaney
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  4. Larry L. Mullins
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Hommel, K.A., Wagner, J.L., Chaney, J.M. et al. Prospective contributions of attributional style and arthritis helplessness to disability in rheumatoid arthritis. Int. J. Behav. Med. 8, 208–219 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327558IJBM0803_3

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