| Abstract: | An instrument was developeted to measure appraisal and coping in older people with osteoarthritis (OA). Based on the Lazarus-Folkman model of stress and coping, our Arhtritis Appraisal and Ways of coping scale assessed the primary appraisal (perception of harm/loss) and coping thoughts and actions of OAs in response to specific incidents of pain. Factor analysis of the scores of 151 persons with osteoarthritis produced five coping subscales: dependency, adapting, distancing, anger-withdrawal, and expanding thoughts and actions. In a sample of 95 OAs, primary appraisal and coping were found to relate significantly to each other, to self-efficacy, and to health status (pain, depression, and activity level). Use of this instrument to understand better the change processes in sucessful patient education program is discussed. |
