In a sample of patients with arthritis, attentional coping style is not in accordance with the characteristic patterns outlined in the acute and chronic disease coping literature, a recent study found. A sample of 328 adults with a self-reported diagnosis of arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis [RA] n=159; osteoarthritis [OA] n=149) completed an Internet-based survey. Coping style (monitoring=attending to vs blunting=avoiding) was assessed using the validated short version of the Miller Behavioral Style Scale. Questions pertained to receipt of medication information; receipt of conflicting medication information; ambiguity aversion; medication-related discussions with doctors and spouse/partners; and medication adherence. Researchers found:

• Arthritis patients were more likely to be high monitors (50%) than high blunters (36%).
• Among RA patients, increased information-receipt was significantly associated with decreased monitoring.
• Among OA patients, increased information-receipt was significantly associated with increased blunting.