The Relationship between Psychosocial Factors and Symptoms of Patient with Rhematoid Arthritis

류마티스 관절염 환자의 심리사회적 요인과 증상과의 관계

This study was done to Identify the relations between psychosocial factors and symptoms of patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Its subjects were 150 outpatients selected at H. Rheumatism clinic from July to August in 1998. Data were collected by means of questionnaires using interview. Those data were analyzed by Frequency, t-test, ANOVA, pearson's correlation using SPSS window 8.0. The results were as follows : 1) The level of family support was relatively high and the level of self-efficacy and performance of daily living activities were average. Among their symptoms, fatigue and pain were frequent problems. 2) Family support was different by educational level, self-efficacy and physical, psychological symptoms were different by performance of regular exercise. 3) The family support was inversely related to physical symptoms especially ADL, while it was not related to psychological symptoms except a reverse correlation between depression and anxiety, and family support. Self-efficacy held a reverse correlation with both physical and psychological symptoms. And there was a close relationship between symptoms. In conclusion it was found that the promotion of family support, self-efficacy and exercise-performance holds a key post in reducing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.