Situational patterns in coping with primary Sjögren’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, 6 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.