Exploring the perceptions of women with rheumatoid arthritis of how their illness impacts their relationship with their intimate partner

Naidoo, PamelaGerber, RonéDept. of PsychologyFaculty of Community and Health Sciences2013-09-112026-06-102007/09/072007/09/072013-09-112026-06-102006https://hdl.handle.net/10566/24032Magister Psychologiae - MPsychThis study explored women's perceptions of how their illness (Rheumatoid Arthritis- RA) affects their relationship with their intimate life partner. RA is a chronic, inflammatory, auto-immune illnes, which mainly affects the synovial membranes of multiple joints. This highly inflammatory poly-arthritis may lead to joint destruction, chronic pain, deformity and loss of functioning as unfortunate outcomes of the established illness. RA affects key life domains such as psychological well-being, social well-being, family and couple relationships, employment, loss of independence and restrictions in daily functioning.enRheumatoid ArthritisWomenHealth and hygiene - Sociological aspectsExploring the perceptions of women with rheumatoid arthritis of how their illness impacts their relationship with their intimate partnerThesisUniversity of the Western Cape