Recorded presentation

Mary McElroy, PhD, Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, 1A Natatorium, Manhattan, KS 66506, 785-532-0711, mmcelro@ksu.edu

Arthritis is the most prevalent chronic joint condition and the leading cause of disability in the U.S. with the majority of afflicted individuals over the age of 65. Adults dealing with arthritis often experience significant restrictions in mobility and a reduced ability to perform daily living activities. Social support has been identified as a crucial factor in coping with physical disability and illness. Individuals with arthritis should benefit from a social support network they can count on for emotional support. However, as reported in several recent studies, individuals with high levels of functional limitations receive reduced support from family members, spouse/partners and friends. To test the relationship between emotional social support and physical functioning levels, data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States was analyzed. The 318 males and 419 females who reported being diagnosed with arthritis by a physician served as subjects. Using independent t-tests partial support was found for the hypotheses relating emotional social support to physical functioning levels. For men, higher physical functioning limitations were related to lower levels of family and peer emotional support. However, contrary to expectation, high physical functioning limitations were related to significantly higher levels of perceived emotional support from a spouse/partner. Among women, family and peer emotional support was lower for those reporting physical functioning difficulties. However, spousal/partner emotional support was unrelated to physical functioning levels. Findings were discussed in relation to gender differences with respect to the role of emotional social support for individuals dealing with arthritis.

Learning Objectives:

• To describe the relationaship between emotional social support and physical functioning levels
• To assess gender differences in social support for men and women dealing with arthritis

Keywords: Arthritis, Social Work

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation