Effects of illness perception on negative emotions and fatigue in chronic rheumatic diseases: Rumination as a possible mediator.

Background: Illness perception has long been hypothesized to be linked to psychological well-b eing in patients with rheumatic diseases, although substantial evidence is lacking, and the contribution of ruminative coping style to this relationship is unclear.

Aim: To investigate the roles of illness perception and rumination in predicting fatigue and negative emotions in patients with chronic rheumatic diseases.

Methods: Illness perception, rumination, fatigue and negative emotions ( depression, anxiety and stress) were assessed by the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised, Stress Reactive Rumination Scale, Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue, and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale respectively.