Ambivalence over emotional expression and psychological well-being among rheumatoid arthritis patients and their spouses

Joan S. Tucker, Darlene K. Winkelman, Jeffrey N. Katz, Bonnie L. Bermas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Associations between ambivalence over emotional expression and psychological well-being among rheumatoid arthritis patients and their spouses were investigated. Sixty-nine couples completed questionnaires assessing ambivalence over emotional expression, emotional expressiveness, psychological well-being, and strategies used in coping with arthritis. Associations between the patient's ambivalence and psychological well-being were stronger for those married to a highly ambivalent spouse, although this pattern of results was not found for spouses. Lower psychological well-being among more ambivalent spouses, and to a lesser extent patients, could be partially explained by their greater use of passive and distancing coping strategies. Results emphasize the importance of taking a dyadic approach to the study of psychological functioning among chronically ill patients and their spouses.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)271-290
Number of pages20
JournalJournal of Applied Social Psychology
Volume29
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology

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