“Men don’t cry”: The experiences and coping styles of men with RA: A Q-methodology study

Flurey, Caroline; Hewlett, Sarah; White, Alan; Rodham, Karen; Noddings, Robert; Kirwan, John

Abstract

Background: Research on coping with RA reflects the preponderance of women with the condition (70%). In other long term conditions research suggests men need their own health strategy.

Objectives: To explore the experiences and coping styles of men with RA.

Methods: Using Q-methodology (a qualitative and quantitative approach to grouping people according to subjective opinion) men with RA sorted 64 statements (generated in previous qualitative interviews) across a constrained distribution in ranked order of agreement and took part in interviews about their rationale for sorting the statements. Groups of patients with similar sort patterns (“factors”) were identified using centroid factor analysis with varimax rotation.

Results: Thirty patients took part: mean age 64yrs (SD10.3); median (IQR) disease duration 5yrs (2-13); HAQ 0.75 (0.16-1.84); 67% DMARDs, 17% biologics. All patients ranked highly the importance of keeping themselves informed about their RA, especially regarding their medication. In the factor analysis a participant loading of ≥±0.32 reached significance at p

• Presentation Conference Type: Presentation / Talk
• Conference Name: EULAR 2015
• Start Date: Jun 10, 2015
• End Date: Jun 13, 2015
• Acceptance Date: Jan 1, 2015
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2015
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis, men, q-methodology
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/841903
• Publisher URL: http://www.abstracts2view.com/eular/view.php?nu=EULAR15L_THU0604-HPR&terms=
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : EULAR 2015