A Study of Symptom Distress, Health locus of Control, and Coping Resources of Aging Post‐Polio Survivors

Abstract

Nearly one-half of the estimated 1.63 million American patients who survived the polio epidemics of the 1940s and 1950s are re-experiencing symptoms of the acute illness. This exploratory study of 125 aging post-polio survivors examined the differences of symptom distress, health locus of control, and coping resources for survivors who had and those who had not incurred a chronic physical disability following the acute phase of poliomyelitis. The Symptom Rating Test, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and the Coping Resources Inventory were used. No significant differences were found between disability groups concerning symptom distress, health locus of control, or coping resources. However, significant negative correlations were found between coping resources and both the quantity and severity of symptom distress. The differences found between perceived health locus of control and both coping resources and symptom distress were marginally significant.

The Norwegian Polio Study 1994 part II: early experiences of polio and later psychosocial well-being

“…22 In a study by Kuehn and Winters a signi®cant negative correlation was found between coping resources and both quantity and severity of symptomatic distress, respectively. 23 Kemp et al concluded in their study that post polio status by itself did not relate to higher depression score or lower life satisfaction, while family functioning and attitude towards disability were more important. 24 Grafman, reviewing polio studies, stated that`no relationship is apparent between the report of psychopathological symptoms and degree of physical disability'.…”

“…23 Our study contained no formal assessment of coping skills. However, it is likely that the NH-group had more e ective coping skills in handling the new situation, and signi®cantly more members of the NH-group than the H-group felt that they coped well with the late e ects of polio.…”

Psychological distress: concept analysis

“…A forth antecedent is loss of control, either perceived or actual. An example of this is found in a study completed by Kuehn and Winters (1994) in ageing postpolio survivors who reported individuals with higher internal locus of control had better coping skills than those with external locus of control. The fifth and final antecedent of distress is ineffective coping.…”

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Analysis of Aging with a Childhood Onset Disability

“…Researchers have stated that polio survivors make efforts to adapt to new disabilities and environmental problems as they arise (Hansson & Ahlstrom, 1999) and frequently have been able to maintain their self-esteem and quality of life in the face of worsening impairment (Currie, Gershkoff, & Cifu, 1993). Their values related to achievement and inner strength, which helped them normalize in youth, however, have been less useful as they have coped with age-related change (Kuehn & Winters, 1994). Many of the difficulties associated with living with a disability since childhood have contributed to their isolation, dependence, unemployment due to disability, and decreased access to health care (Currie et al, 1993).…”