Exploring Resilience in Indian Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Qualitative Approach

By : Sadhana Natu, Sumita Chavare

Page No: 305-317

Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic pain disease which affects patients’ functioning in all spheres of life. RA cannot be cured permanently, but can be managed. In India, large body of research has extensively studied the role of various biological interventions in pain-management of RA. Despite of pain being a subjective phenomenon, the effectiveness of measures taken by patients in the form of resiliency processes has been sparsely studied and acknowledged. Therefore, the objective of this qualitative study is to explore the process of inner resilience and the way it shaped the health outcomes through lived experiences of 8 women with RA. Thematic analysis of in-depth semi-structured interview has demonstrated following resilience processes within patients: i) Internal locus of control ii) Optimism and hope iii) Finding practical strategies for pain management and overcoming limitations iv) Engaging in meaningful activities despite pain v) Buffering effect of pain acceptance vi ) Seeking social support vii) Seeking spiritual support. Findings of this study draw attention to the contribution of patients’ strengths in the form of resilience to influence health outcomes and highlight the pressing need for clinicians to maintain biopsychosocial perspective in pain management.

Authors :
Sumita Chavare : Ph.D. student – Department of Psychology, Savitribai Phule Pune University
Sadhana Natu : Associate Professor and Head – UG and PG Department of Psychology, Modern College, Ganesh khind, Pune.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JPR.2020.15.01.26