Psychologic Comparisons Between Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Their Nonarthritic Sisters

Abstract

The content of semi-structured interviews with rheumatoid arthritic patients and their healthy same-sexed siblings was analyzed. Results showed clear and striking differences between patients and siblings in their self-descriptions; in the extent of their masochism, self-sacrifice, and denial of hostility; in the amount of rejection they perceived from their mothers; and in the degree of strictness they perceived from their fathers. No differences were found between the 2 groups either in the extent of their physical activity or in the extent to which they manifested dependency. This casts doubt on some previous findings. It was suggested that a particular personality constellation may combine with either acute or chronic stress as one etiologic factor in the development of arthritis.