The Construction of Coping of Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis

ABSTRACT

@#PURPOSE: People living with diseases where symptoms are not visible to the naked eye, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), are frequently misunderstood by the public and consequently face numerous conflicts in their lives. The study aims to develop an explanatory framework towards the constructions of coping of adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). DESIGN: The study made use of the Straussian Grounded Theory Method. 15 adults with ages ranging from 21 to 50 years old, diagnosed by a licensed physician with rheumatoid arthritis for at least six months at the time of the study, with an active social media account, and are in the convalescence or remission phase participated in the study. The study setting was based on the participants' preferences within the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon areas. This study has been reviewed and approved by UP Manila Research Ethics Board (UPMREB). METHODS: Purposive sampling and theoretical sampling were used in selecting the participants. Unstructured interviews and observation played central roles in the data collection. Consistent with the Straussian Grounded Theory method, the analysis was based on data immersion and iterative open, axial, and selective coding. FINDINGS: The constructions of coping in persons with Rheumatoid arthritis was presented through a “coding paradigm” of causal conditions (disconnect and invisible suffering), context (isolation and psychosocial burdens), intervening conditions (cultural values and family attitude, values, beliefs, and dynamics), strategies (joining online RA group and sticking with people who understand), and consequences (regaining control and helping others with the same condition) which were further explained in this paper. CONCLUSION: The study presents experiences of persons with RA and their constructions of coping, shedding light on the often misunderstood course of symptomatology and the struggles the afflicted persons go through. Despite having social media as the milieu by which these concepts emerge, this study's theoretical model may help health practitioners understand persons afflicted with diseases with imperceptible symptoms. Understanding their experiences in the context of the theoretical model presented could suggest information and support modalities for these groups of people.