PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF ILLNESS DOWNTURNS - A COMPARISON OF NEW AND CHRONIC CONDITIONS

Older adults (N = 166) who had chronic arthritis, a chronic vision pro blem, new arthritis symptoms, or a new vision problem were compared wi th older adult controls on psychological distress and well-being. The psychological impacts of new versus chronic illness stressors, and str essors associated with arthritis versus vision loss, were examined. Th e chronic arthritis group had the greatest psychological distress, the least well-being, and the greatest self-reported pain. Results suppor ted an additivity theory approach to chronic illness and not an antici patory coping approach. Differences in level of pain accounted in part for elevations in distress but did not explain differences between gr oups in psychological well-being. Positive affect was found to be the indicator of well-being that best differentiated groups.