Social support, social disability, and psychological well‐being in rheumatoid arthritis

Purpose. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that may lead to social disability. As a consequence, the psychological well‐being of RA patients can be strained. Social support is a possible moderator of the relation between social disability and psychological well‐being. The focus of the present study is on the main effect versus the buffering effect of social support. Methods. Data on 54 RA patients were gathered by means of a 2‐hr interview at the patient's home. Results. Receiving more daily emotional support positively related to greater psychological well‐being; whereas problem‐oriented emotional support negatively related to some aspects of psychological well‐being. People receiving more social companionship turned out to be less depressed. Conclusion. The assumption was confirmed that social support has a major effect on psychological well‐being. A buffering effect of social support was not demonstrated.