Perceived Control and Coping in Women Faced with Activity Restriction due to Osteoarthritis: Relations to Anxious and Depressive Symptoms

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe study focuses on perceived control and coping strategies regarding activity restriction due to osteoarthritis in a sample of older women. Using a cross-sectional design, it examines how these variables, separately and in combination, predict anxious symptoms and depressive symptoms. Perceived control did not predict anxious symptoms, while approach-type coping strategies did. Perceived control and approach-type coping strategies individually predicted depressive symptoms. Higher perceived control in interaction with avoidant-type coping strategies significantly predicted lower depressive symptoms. Overall, the findings suggest that perceived control and coping strategies with regard to activity restriction relate in different ways to anxious symptoms and to depressive symptoms.