Empowerment program of resilience for rheumatoid arthritis patients

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to develop and validate an intervention program to the empowerment of resilience for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. We used a quasi-experimental non-randomized pre-post two-group design; the experimental group was also assessed at follow-up. The total sample consisted of 76 patients (93% women). The results of both Study 1 (n = 26; pilot study) and Study 2 (n = 50) showed a positive effect of treatment on some of the outcome variables, including resilience, self-transcendence, mood states, quality of life, illness perception, and social support. Thus, the intervention program can enhance resilience and significantly improve psychosocial variables associated with rheumatoid arthritis.