Appendix.

Arthritis-related Health Belief Scales

Perceived benefits of arthroplasty:
1. Joint replacement surgery would get rid of my joint pain.
2. Joint replacement surgery would allow me to do things that I like to do.
3. Joint replacement surgery will make me feel better.

Perceived barriers of arthroplasty:
1.The joint replacement surgery I am aware of is too risky and too time consuming.
2.I would have to change too many daily activities to undergo joint replacement surgery for my arthritis.
3.It is too inconvenient for me to get joint replacement surgery.
4.I would experience too much pain several weeks after joint replacement surgery.
5.To get joint replacement surgery would cause too much inconvenience to my immediate family members.

Perceived severity of arthritis:
1. My arthritis keeps me from doing things I want to do.
2. My arthritis limits my daily activities.
3. My arthritis interferes with my going to work or school.

Perceived susceptibility of arthritis to get worse:
1. Due to the condition of my physical health, my arthritis is likely to get worse.
2. My chances that my arthritis will get worse are great.
3. Within the next year my arthritis will get worse.
4. I worry a lot about my arthritis getting worse.
5. It worries me to think about the effect my arthritis will have on my health.