Coping strategies as predictors of psychosocial adaptation in a sample of elderly veterans with acquired lower limb amputations

Abstract

This study examines the contribution of demographic/amputation-related variables and coping strategies to the prediction of psychosocial adaptation in veterans with acquired lower limb amputations. Multiple indicators of the psychosocial adjustment of 796 individuals in the UK aged between 26-92 years with lower limb amputations were assessed. Hierarchical linear regressions were performed to investigate relationships between demographic/amputationrelated variables (i.e. age, time since amputation, amputation level and amputation aetiology), the dimensions of coping (namely problem solving, seeking social support and avoidance) and self-reported adaptation to amputation, as well as symptoms of intrusion, anxiety and depression. Results indicated that coping styles were important predictors of psychosocial adaptation. Avoidance was strongly associated with psychological distress and poor adjustment. In contrast, problem solving was negatively associated with depressive and anxious symptomatology whereas seeking social support was negatively associated with symptoms of depression and positively associated with social adaptation. These findings suggest the potential for interventions designed to promote particular coping strategies to improve psychosocial outcomes. r

Impact of Michelangelo prosthetic hand: Findings from a crossover longitudinal study

“…Moreover, they reported high levels of social support. Task-oriented coping strategies were previously associated with lower levels of anxious-depressive symptoms [5,37], and perceived social support has been found to predict a positive adjustment to amputation [38][39][40]. This study also considers different aspect of personality; although there is insufficient knowledge concerning the traits assessed by the EPQR-SF lie scale [36], the participants' high scores on this scale seem to reflect the practical way in which they coped with limb loss.…”

Coping, affective distress, and psychosocial adjustment among people with traumatic upper limb amputations

“…Investigation of the role of coping strategies in adjustment to lower limb amputation, consistent with the wider coping literature, suggests that active/task oriented strategies such as problem solving and perceiving control over the disability are conducive to positive psychosocial adjustment (e.g. 7,11,12). In contrast, emotion-focused and passive strategies such as cognitive disengagement, avoidance and catastrophizing have been associated with poor psychosocial outcomes 5 (7,12,13).…”

“…7,11,12). In contrast, emotion-focused and passive strategies such as cognitive disengagement, avoidance and catastrophizing have been associated with poor psychosocial outcomes 5 (7,12,13). For example, Livneh, Antonak & Gerhard (7) found that greater active problem solving was negatively associated with depression and internalised anger and positively associated with adjustment and acceptance of disability.…”

Affective Distress and Amputation-Related Pain Among Older Men with Long-Term, Traumatic Limb Amputations

“…3 There is little consensus, however, regarding the prevalence of clinically significant emotional distress following limb amputation, either in the short or longer term. While some studies report elevated prevalences of clinically significant affective disorders among individuals with amputations compared with the general population, 4,5 others do not.…”