Thesis Title: Body Image, Social Support and Psychosocial Adjustment to Prosthesis Use in Unilateral Lower Limb Amputees
Author Name: Amna Khadam
Supervisor: Rafia Rafique
Year: 2017
Degree: BS
Department: Institute of Applied Psychology
University: Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245
Abstract
Lower limb is the most mobile part of our body and hence it is important to study how people face their limb loss and how their body image disturbs and affects their psychological and social functioning. Current study aimed to investigate the relationship among body image, social support and psychosocial adjustment to prosthesis use in unilateral lower limb amputees. Further, it was aimed to find out the moderating role of social support between body image and psychosocial adjustment. A sample consisting of 102 lower limb amputees with prosthetic limbs was taken by using non-probability convenient sampling technique. A total of (N = 102) patients participated with age range (15-65) years (M = 33.85, SD = 15.38) were recruited. Data was collected using the following questionnaires: Amputee Body Image Scale (ABIS) (Gallagher 2007), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) (Zimet, Dahlem & Farley, 1988) and Psychosocial subscales of Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales (TAPES) (Gallagher, 2010) translated into Urdu language. Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Hierarchical Multiple Regression Analysis were used. Results revealed that amputees with high body image disturbance had poorer psychosocial adjustment while those who had high level of social support had better psychosocial adjustment. Furthermore, results also revealed that social support received from friends was a moderator between body image disturbance and psychosocial adjustment (general adjustment and adjustment to limitation). Findings of present study can be implied in clinical setting to enhance the psychosocial adjustment of people with amputation by focusing on increasing positive attitudes toward their body.
Keywords:
Body image, social support, psychosocial adjustment
