This study investigated the physical and psychological impact of arthritis
on people's quality of life. A range of variables were examined in a sample
of 375 participants who comprised three groups: people with arthritis rece
iving a support-based service from the Arthritis Foundation of Victoria, pe
ople with arthritis receiving standard treatment, and a group of people fro
m the general population. The results revealed that the two arthritis group
s reported a significantly higher level of functional impairment, pain, and
negative affectivity, and lowered mood, positive affect, and Sense of Cohe
rence, compared to the general population group. They also reported normal
levels of importance, but lower levels of satisfaction on various life doma
ins. After statistically controlling for pain however, group differences we
re eliminated on all variables except for functional impairment and for all
satisfaction domains except health. These data are interpreted as evidence
that the combination of low domain satisfaction coupled with high domain i
mportance yields a negative psychological state. This, then suggests the po
ssibility of a therapy based on reducing the perceived importance of health
.