Situational patterns in coping with primary Sjo¨gren's syndrome

The complexities involved in primary Sjögren's syndrome (primary SS) were examined by designing and testing an instrument for evaluating the occurrence and severity of various biopsychosocial stressors as perceived by primary SS patients (63 women, six men) and at examining the situational patterns involved in appraising and coping with stressful episodes. The results indicated symptoms of fatigue, eye discomfort, dryness of the mouth and sleep disturbances to be particularly stressful. Women were found to be more likely than men - and patients with less education more likely than those with higher education - to report a stressor as occurring and experiencing it as stressful. The situational approach was seen to yield more specific information on the actual appraisal and coping processes used by the patients for exercising control in the specific encounters experienced as highly stressful, particularly with respect to educational resources and the place of men and women in society.