Psychological predictors of fatigue, work & social adjustment and distress in rheumatology outpatients: Short report

TY - JOUR

T1 - Psychological predictors of fatigue, work & social adjustment and distress in rheumatology outpatients: Short report

AU - Matcham, Faith Alexandra Elisabeth

AU - Ali, Sheila Momota

AU - Irving, Katherine

AU - Chalder, Trudie

PY - 2019/3/12

Y1 - 2019/3/12

N2 - Objective This study aims to investigate the longitudinal relationships between psychological variables and follow-up levels of fatigue, work and social adjustment and psychological distress in people with rheumatic diseases. Methods This study is a prospective observational study. Patients attending rheumatology outpatient appointments completed a questionnaire during their hospital visit and were mailed a follow-up questionnaire either at their next appointment or via postal questionnaire. Multivariate linear regression models examined the association between baseline cognitive behavioural responses, personality, social support and acceptance and follow-up levels of fatigue, work and social adjustment and psychological distress, adjusting for age, gender, disease duration and the length of time between baseline and follow-up. Results A total of 108 patients completed the follow-up questionnaires. The biggest predictors of having high levels of fatigue at follow-up were increased baseline damage beliefs and behavioural avoidance. Behavioural avoidance at baseline also had a strong relationship with worsened work and social adjustment at follow-up. The biggest predictor of psychological distress at follow-up was a lack of fatigue acceptance at baseline. Conclusion This paper provides insight into the psychological variables which may be targetable in interventions to improve fatigue, work and social adjustment and distress outcomes in people with rheumatic diseases.

AB - Objective This study aims to investigate the longitudinal relationships between psychological variables and follow-up levels of fatigue, work and social adjustment and psychological distress in people with rheumatic diseases. Methods This study is a prospective observational study. Patients attending rheumatology outpatient appointments completed a questionnaire during their hospital visit and were mailed a follow-up questionnaire either at their next appointment or via postal questionnaire. Multivariate linear regression models examined the association between baseline cognitive behavioural responses, personality, social support and acceptance and follow-up levels of fatigue, work and social adjustment and psychological distress, adjusting for age, gender, disease duration and the length of time between baseline and follow-up. Results A total of 108 patients completed the follow-up questionnaires. The biggest predictors of having high levels of fatigue at follow-up were increased baseline damage beliefs and behavioural avoidance. Behavioural avoidance at baseline also had a strong relationship with worsened work and social adjustment at follow-up. The biggest predictor of psychological distress at follow-up was a lack of fatigue acceptance at baseline. Conclusion This paper provides insight into the psychological variables which may be targetable in interventions to improve fatigue, work and social adjustment and distress outcomes in people with rheumatic diseases.

KW - Psychological

KW - Fatigue

KW - distress

KW - work and social adjustment

KW - rheumatic diseases

M3 - Article

SN - 2512-8442

JO - European Journal of Health Psychology

JF - European Journal of Health Psychology

ER -