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The Impact of Appearance Concerns on Depression and Anxiety in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Musculoskeletal Care, 06/19/2012
McBain H et al. – The findings confirm the role of optimistic cognitions and a supportive environment in determining the mood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and also establishes a possible link between depression and appearance concerns in this population. Interventions targeting social support, optimism and social anxiety and avoidance in relation to appearance are key in the improvement of depression in this patient group.
Methods- A total of 89 patients with RA completed a series of psychosocial questionnaires measuring demographics, physical function, general cognitive processes and a number of appearance–specific concepts, to determine the contribution of appearance concerns to mood.
- Hierarchical linear regression suggested that living status, optimism, social support and appearance–related social anxiety and avoidance are associated with levels of depression.
- The relationship between social support and depression was found to be mediated by appearance–related social anxiety and avoidance.
- Optimism remained the only variable significantly associated with anxiety.