Common patterns of person-environment interaction in persons with rheumatoid arthritis

This study's purpose was to identify and describe common patterns of person -environment interaction in persons with rheumatoid arthritis. Newman's pro positions about pattern provided the theoretical foundation, and a combinat ion of quantitative and qualitative techniques were used to recognize patte rn. Sixty-six adults diagnosed,vith rheumatoid arthritis completed question naires that assessed characteristic ways of functioning. Iterative cluster analysis of the data identified five distinct groups of individuals with si milar response profiles. Content analysis of each group's characteristics p roduced a core theme representing the nature of the common pattern. The fin ding of multiple, distinct common patterns of person-environment interactio n within the population of persons with RA is consistent with findings in o ther populations. Further study of the common patterns, in relation to heal th outcomes, has potential for increasing knowledge about the sources of di fferent health experiences among persons with the same chronic illness.