Psychological Experiences of Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Evidence Synthesis

@article{huang2026psychological,
  title = {{Psychological Experiences of Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Evidence Synthesis}},
  author = {Huang T and Tao W and Zhou D and Song J and Chen O and Yuan J},
  journal = {Patient Preference and Adherence},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  url = {https://www.dovepress.com/psychological-experiences-of-adults-with-rheumatoid-arthritis-a-system-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-PPA},
  note = {CC BY},
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Psychological Experiences of Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Evidence Synthesis
AU  - Huang T
AU  - Tao W
AU  - Zhou D
AU  - Song J
AU  - Chen O
AU  - Yuan J
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/01
JO  - Patient Preference and Adherence
UR  - https://www.dovepress.com/psychological-experiences-of-adults-with-rheumatoid-arthritis-a-system-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-PPA
AB  - Ting Huang,1,2,* Wenli Tao,1,3,* Di Zhou,1,3 Jingwen Song,1,3 Ou Chen,2 Juan Yuan1,31School of Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 3Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nursing and Health, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Juan Yuan, School of Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, No. 350 Longzi Lake Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 13955188496, Email [email protected]: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes unpredictable pain, progressive joint damage, and visible deformities. These features give rise to emotional and relational challenges, including fear of disability, loss of independence, and struggles with identity and social roles. This meta-synthesis aimed to systematically synthesize qualitative evidence on the psychological experiences of patients with RA to inform holistic nursing care.Methods: This is a qualitative meta-synthesis. Two reviewers systematically searched six electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus) from inception to March 28, 2026, supplemented by reference list screening. English-language qualitative studies on the psychological experiences of adults with RA were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist. Reflexive thematic analysis was used for qualitative evidence synthesis. Reporting adhered to the PRISMA and ENTREQ guidelines. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD420261355146).Results: Thirty-three studies including 663 participants from ten countries were included. Three themes and twelve subthemes were generated: negative emotional experiences (helplessness, fear, guilt, loneliness); self-identity and meaning-making (bodily alienation, role loss, causal attributions, acceptance); and psychological conflicts in interpersonal interactions (dependence vs autonomy, reversed family roles, perceived stigma and pressure to conceal, estrangement in clinical encounters).Conclusions: The psychological burden extends beyond depression and anxiety, involving embodied distress and relational difficulties, yet patients also actively reconstruct meaning. Healthcare professionals can attend to the specific fears, identity struggles, and interpersonal tensions that patients describe. Asking open-ended questions about the most difficult aspects of living with the condition, validating subjective experiences, involving family members in discussions about role adjustments, and reinforcing patients’ own adaptive efforts may contribute to more holistic nursing assessment and individualized care.Keywords: meta-synthesis, psychological phenomena, qualitative research, rheumatoid arthritis
SN  - 1177-889X
ER  -