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Primer on the Rheumatic Diseases pp 609–613Cite as

Psychosocial Factors in Arthritis

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Abstract

Psychosocial factors play an important role in the etiology and course of rheumatic diseases. In this chapter, we introduce concepts that may aid the reader in understanding the relationship. Psychosocial challenges and physiological mechanisms involved in rheumatic disease manifestations may be best understood within the conceptual framework of stress and the individual response to stress. It has become increasingly evident that psychosocial factors are essential to understanding who is most affected by illness and other stressors, as well as when they are most vulnerable. We end the chapter with a discussion of resilience, as it important to acknowledge the capacities of individuals to cope successfully with their illness.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA

    Alex Zautra PhD (Foundation Professor) & Denise Kruszewski MS (Graduate Student/Research Assistant)

Authors
  1. Alex Zautra PhD
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  2. Denise Kruszewski MS
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Arthritis Foundation, Atlanta, GA, USA

    John H. Klippel MD (President and CEO) (President and CEO)

  2. Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    John H. Stone MD, MPH (Associate Physician, Deputy Editor for Rheumatology) (Associate Physician, Deputy Editor for Rheumatology)

  3. Division of Rheumatology & Women’s Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA

    Leslie J. Crofford MD (Gloria W. Singletary Professor of Internal Medicine, Chief) (Gloria W. Singletary Professor of Internal Medicine, Chief)

  4. Arthritis Foundation, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Patience H. White MD, MA (Chief Public Health Officer) (Chief Public Health Officer)

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Zautra, A., Kruszewski, D. (2008). Psychosocial Factors in Arthritis. In: Klippel, J.H., Stone, J.H., Crofford, L.J., White, P.H. (eds) Primer on the Rheumatic Diseases. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-68566-3_37

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-68566-3_37

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-35664-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-68566-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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