Self-Esteem as a Predictor of Psychological Adjustment to Limb Loss: A Case Study of Acquired Limb Amputation

Abstract


 
 
 
 OBJECTIVES:
 To examine the psychological issues following acquired limb amputation and examine the significance of positive self-esteem in the psychological adjustment of amputation.
 METHODOLOGY:
 This case study was conducted in the surgical and orthopedic units of different government and private hospitals of Peshawar district. The study includes a sample of 100 acquired limb amputees,both adult males and females admitted in different hospitals of Peshawar. Patients with congenital limb loss or with preexisting psychological issues were excluded from the study. Psychological
 adjustment scale developed by Sabir (1999) and Self-Esteem scale developed by Rifai’s (1999) was used to determine the amputee’s level of psychological adjustment and self-esteem.
 RESULTS:
 Results revealed that amputation leads to number of psychological issues. It was found that males had lowered self-esteem and severe adjustment issues then females while young amputees exhibit greater signs of maladjustment as compared to older amputees. Regression analysis for selfesteem predicting psychological adjustment also displayed pronounced differences in the level of psychological adjustment due changing level of self-esteem. The model suggested a strong positive relation between self-esteem and psychological adjustment (r=0.880, B=0.867, t=18.37, p<.001) and 77.5% of the variance in the dependent variable (psychological adjustment) was caused by predictor variable i.e. self-esteem (R2=0.775, F (98)=337.6, p<.001).
 CONCLUSION:
 Amputation badly disturbs the psychological state of an amputee and an amputee’s self-esteem is an important coping tool and has a direct relation with better psychological adjustment to limb loss.
 
 
 

The Effect of Motivational Interview-Based Counseling in Individuals With Amputation: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Turkey

“…Individuals with lower extremity amputation may encounter difficulties in fulfilling daily functions and may require assistance (Behera & Dash, 2021). Individuals with lower extremity amputation may experience negative impacts on physical, mental, and general health with loss of walking and running functions, family and society seeing them as disabled, and disrupted body image because of extremity loss (Ali et al, 2021; Küçük Öztürk et al, 2022; Radenovic et al, 2022). Also, amputation may cause individuals to isolate themselves from social life or reduce coping strategies (Abouammoh et al, 2021; Turner et al, 2022).…”

“…Extremity loss and changes to physical appearance occurring after amputation cause many negative impacts psychologically, socially, and economically for individuals (Jo et al, 2021;Knežević et al, 2015). It may be hard for individuals to cope with these negativities, and as a result, they may be at risk of disrupted mental health (Ali et al, 2021;MacKay et al, 2022). In a study investigating the psychological responses to amputation, it is necessary to offer social support at the right time and support coping strategies to ensure psychosocial adjustment (Pedras et al, 2018).…”