Impact of Rheumatic Musculoskeletal Disease on Psychological Development in Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) undergo significant physiological and psychological transformations. When developmental milestones are combined with additional challenges of growing up with a chronic rheumatic musculoskeletal disease (RMD), it can increase AYAs' susceptibility to psychological problems. Emotional issues in adolescence can often persist into adulthood and negatively impact future health, social, and work outcomes. This chapter summarises psychological challenges for AYAs and recommends ways for healthcare professionals (HCPs) to promote mental wellbeing in AYAs with RMDs. AYA Psychological DevelopmentPsychological development in AYAs encompasses cognitive (see chapter 1), emotional, and behavioural maturation 1 . A key process initiated by these psychological changes is the need to acquire a self-concept, which is how an individual perceives and thinks about the "self". It involves exploring and committing to identity-defining roles and values in a variety of life domains. Physical and hormonal changes during puberty also promote the development of a body image and a sexual identity. As a result, social (see chapter 3) and physical components of the self-concept are of utmost importance during adolescence and have profound impacts on AYAs' psychological functioning 2 .Body image is based on a combination of one's own evaluation and the perception of others' attitudes towards one's physical characteristics 3 . A healthy body image means that the AYA accepts and appreciates his/her body and is generally satisfied with his/her appearance.Conversely, a negative body image occurs when there is a discourse between how the body is currently perceived and what the individual's preferences are.Adolescence is also a time for discovering one's own sexual identity and for developing an interest in seeking intimate relationships. A sexual identity comprises of cognitive and

Characterizing pain flares in adolescent inflammatory and non‐inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders: A qualitative study using an interpretative phenomenological approach

“…In addition, young people become increasingly dependent on their parents for practical and emotional support and raise concerns about being accepted into colleges and employment due to poor attendance and school attainment. This shows that pain flares can have long‐term detrimental effects, compromising adolescent identity development (Cai & Chaplin, 2019; McDonagh & Gleeson, 2013). It also suggests that the management of a flare should extend beyond simply supressing flares by reducing physical pain; it should also aim to reduce long‐term disability by taking into account impact on function and well‐being (Stinson, Luca, & Jibb, 2012).…”

Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research for Dreams Come True Remission

“…In adolescents with PRDs, this condition is compounded by anxiety about the future caused by the disease, specifically regarding disease progression, employment and career choices, marriage, and pregnancy. In addition, adolescence is a stage of neurophysiological maturation in the limbic system and the frontal cortex, including myelination of nerve fibers, synaptic proliferation and pruning [4].…”