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Background and Aims Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory joint disease affecting approximately 0.5-1% of the world population, with a higher prevalence in women. In addition to physical limitations, RA imposes restrictions in psychological, emotional, and social aspects of patients‘ lives. Effective management and coping often require high levels of self-efficacy. Psychological disorders, are prevalent in RA cases. However, the relationship between personality traits and self-perceived capabilities among diagnosed women remains understudied. This study aimed to (1) examine the relationship between anxiety, depression, quality of life, and self-efficacy in women with RA; and (2) compare these factors between women with RA and healthy counterparts.

Methods The study included 248 women, 104 with RA and 144 without any background diseases, aged 18 and above. The questionnaire covered sociodemographics, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State and Trait Anxiety questionnaire, SF12 Quality of Life questionnaire, and Self-Efficacy questionnaire.

Results Depression correlated significantly with quality of life (rp(104)=-0.559, p<0.01) and self-efficacy (rp(104)=-(0.536, p<0.01)) in women with RA. Self-efficacy was related to anxiety (rp(104)=-0.230, p<0.05). However, no distinct correlation was found between anxiety levels and overall quality of life in women with RA. Depression levels were higher in women with RA (t(246)=-5.331, p<0.05), while self-efficacy levels were lower (t(186.075)=8.189, p<0.05). No significant differences were found in anxiety levels and overall life quality between the groups

Conclusions Depression and self-efficacy significantly differ between healthy women and those with RA. In women with RA, depression affects life quality and self-efficacy, while anxiety relates to self-efficacy.