Several studies of different long-term diseases have been
based on RAM and have reported on the usefulness of its
application including its validity in explaining the effect of
chronic pain on elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis
(Tsai et al. 2003). In multiple sclerosis patients, one study
reported on RAM as an adaptive relationship with the
structure (nature) of the modes of adaptation from the
viewpoint of sexual experiences (Gagliardi 2003). Furthermore, efficacy of RAM has been reported in the adaptation of heart-failure and asthma patients to their disease (Buckner et al. 2007, Bakan & Akyol 2008). Burns (2004) studied the physical and psychological adaptation of participants of African origin to haemodialysis and found an association between the problems perceived through role performance and the social support dimensions of RAM.