Abstract
Older adults (N = 166) who had chronic arthritis, a chronic vision problem, new arthritis symptoms, or a new vision problem were compared with older adult controls on psychological distress and well-being. The psychological impacts of new versus chronic illness stressors, and stressors associated with arthritis versus vision loss, were examined. The chronic arthritis group had the greatest psychological distress, the least well-being, and the greatest self-reported pain. Results supported an additivity theory approach to chronic illness and not an anticipatory coping approach. Differences in level of pain accounted in part for elevations in distress but did not explain differences between groups in psychological well-being. Positive affect was found to be the indicator of well-being that best differentiated groups.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 570-577 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Psychology and Aging |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| State | Published - Dec 1995 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Aging
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Cite this
Psychological Impact of Illness Downturns : A Comparison of New and Chronic Conditions. / Erdal, Kristi J.; Zautra, Alex J.
In: Psychology and Aging, Vol. 10, No. 4, 12.1995, p. 570-577.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychological Impact of Illness Downturns
T2 - A Comparison of New and Chronic Conditions
AU - Erdal, Kristi J.
AU - Zautra, Alex J.
PY - 1995/12
Y1 - 1995/12
N2 - Older adults (N = 166) who had chronic arthritis, a chronic vision problem, new arthritis symptoms, or a new vision problem were compared with older adult controls on psychological distress and well-being. The psychological impacts of new versus chronic illness stressors, and stressors associated with arthritis versus vision loss, were examined. The chronic arthritis group had the greatest psychological distress, the least well-being, and the greatest self-reported pain. Results supported an additivity theory approach to chronic illness and not an anticipatory coping approach. Differences in level of pain accounted in part for elevations in distress but did not explain differences between groups in psychological well-being. Positive affect was found to be the indicator of well-being that best differentiated groups.
AB - Older adults (N = 166) who had chronic arthritis, a chronic vision problem, new arthritis symptoms, or a new vision problem were compared with older adult controls on psychological distress and well-being. The psychological impacts of new versus chronic illness stressors, and stressors associated with arthritis versus vision loss, were examined. The chronic arthritis group had the greatest psychological distress, the least well-being, and the greatest self-reported pain. Results supported an additivity theory approach to chronic illness and not an anticipatory coping approach. Differences in level of pain accounted in part for elevations in distress but did not explain differences between groups in psychological well-being. Positive affect was found to be the indicator of well-being that best differentiated groups.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0029550437&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
VL - 10
SP - 570
EP - 577
JO - Psychology and Aging
JF - Psychology and Aging
SN - 0882-7974
IS - 4
ER -