Learned helplessness and its associations with illness perception, depression and anxiety among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Background. Systemic lupus erythematosus (Sle) is a chronic, multi-organ disease that significantly impacts patients' psychological functioning. learned helplessness (lH) and illness perception have been proven to influence patients' emotional and physical state and treatment adherence. Objectives. the study is aimed at exploring learned helplessness and its relationship with illness perception, depression and anxiety among patients with Sle. Material and methods. the participants were 59 outpatients diagnosed with Sle (55 women, mean age: 45.0 ± 11.7 years; mean Sle duration 11.1 years). the rheumatology Helplessness index (rHi), Brief illness Perception Questionnaire (B-iPQ), Hospital anxiety and depression Scale (HadS) were used. a structured interview and a review of medical files were used to gather clinical and sociodemographic data. Results. learned helplessness was significantly positively correlated with the illness perception total score (r = 0.609), as well as illness consequences (r = 0.432), identity (r = 0.385), concern (r = 0.473) and emotional response (r = 0.543). depression and anxiety levels were also significantly correlated with lH (r = 0.588 and r = 0.472, respectively). no significant associations were observed between lH and age, age at diagnosis, duration of the disease, disease activity, gender, education and employment status. Conclusions. 1. in patients with Sle, learned helplessness is related to experiencing more severe consequences and symptoms of Sle, as well as more intense concerns and negative emotions related to the disease. 2. Psychotherapeutic intervention aimed at patient empowerment and modification of negative cognitions seems vital in order to diminish negative psychological functioning. 3. treatment and self-management aimed at better symptoms control and minimizing the consequences of illness may contribute to less negative cognitive and emotional illness representations.

Illness perception is significantly determined by depression and anxiety in systemic lupus erythematosus

“…Our finding emphasized the role of anxiety, which, according to the literature review, was a mostly ignored phenomenon in studies on SLE 39,40 despite the fact that anxiety symptoms seem to be more severe than depression in SLE sufferers and coexist with suicidal ideation. 11,41,42 Consistent with other authors, we suggest that many patients may not meet the diagnostic criteria of a particular anxiety disorder; 39 however, they may suffer from an increased level of anxiety and routine assessment of anxiety in patients with SLE seems vital. 8,39,40…”

“…[7][8][9][10] Qualitative studies revealed that illness perception in patients suffering from SLE is very individualized and heterogeneous. [4][5][6] Quantitative analyses provided evidence for connections between illness perception dimensions and psychological 8,11 as well as physical functioning 12 among patients with SLE. Illness perception can also be a significant co-factor influencing treatment adherence in patients with lupus nephritis.…”

Anxiety in Polish adult patients with inborn errors of immunity: a cross-sectional study

“…The results of the present study are comparable to previous reports that revealed that a more negative perception of illness is associated with higher anxiety ( 39 ). Similarly, an association of helplessness with anxiety and depression was reported in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus ( 40 ). In a study conducted among patients with type 1 diabetes, those who perceived disease benefits had more positive illness perception and lower levels of depression, anxiety, and irritability ( 41 ).…”

The Case for Investing in Psychosocial Care and Rights of Children with Chronic Medical Conditions in India

“…On the contrary, when parents treat the child with a chronic illness without honestly communicating about the medical condition, and as if they are in a weak and dependent situation, the child could be socialized toward a sense of learned helplessness. This perception of helplessness because of the illness could influence the patient’s emotional or physical state and treatment adherence (Nowicka-Sauer et al, 2017 ). Learned helplessness is defined, as the feeling that there is little control over their illness and subsequent experience, sensing no hope in fighting the symptoms of the illness, and resulting in a passive coping style.…”

“…Learned helplessness is defined, as the feeling that there is little control over their illness and subsequent experience, sensing no hope in fighting the symptoms of the illness, and resulting in a passive coping style. Psychosocial intervention such as patient empowerment and modification of negative perception of self is essential to reduce maladaptive psychological functioning (Nowicka-Sauer et al, 2017 ).…”