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Dissertation
Psychological and functional outcomes of treatment for adolescents with limb deficiency disorders: a focus on the family
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Jan 2004
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-268
Abstract
External fixator treatment (EFT) is an increasingly common yet invasive procedure for adolescents with limb deficiencies, necessitating an intensive rehabilitation regimen that places tremendous demands on the caregivers of adolescents receiving this treatment. This study investigated the role of family functioning and parents' psychological functioning in the psychological adjustment and functional independence of adolescents with limb deficiencies. In addition, differences in psychological adjustment and functional independence were assessed comparing adolescents with limb deficiencies who had received EFT with adolescent with limb deficiencies who had not received EFT. Participants completed standardized questionnaires providing data on medical history, and evaluating family functioning, parents' psychological functioning, child's psychological adjustment, and child's functional independence. The sample was comprised of 46 adolescents with limb deficiencies (36 congenital; 10 acquired), ranging from 11 to 18 years of age. Three multivariate analyses of covariance were used to assess group differences. Six multiple regression analyses were employed to evaluate hypothesized predictors of psychological and orthopedic functioning in this sample. Covariates were determined through preliminary correlation analyses. They included mother's education for CBCL Externalizing and YSR Externalizing analyses; time since last orthopedic surgery in analyses for CBCL Internalizing, as well as child and parent reports of functional independence; number of orthopedic surgeries in analyses for YSR Externalizing; and, sex in analyses for child reports of functional independence. Adolescents with limb deficiencies in this study did not experience more psychological problems compared to a normative sample. No differences in psychological adjustment and functional independence were found between groups. Results also indicated parental distress and family functioning to be important variables in explaining variability in psychological adjustment; however, this pattern of results varied based on reporter (adolescent versus parent). Results further identified a positive relationship between time since adolescent's last orthopedic surgery and functional independence. These findings indicate a role for psychological assessment and intervention targeting patients, parents, and their families in order to optimize rehabilitation and adjustment for adolescents receiving treatment for limb deficiencies.
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Details
- Title
- Psychological and functional outcomes of treatment for adolescents with limb deficiency disorders
- Creators
- Jennifer S. Hitelman - DU
- Contributors
- Lamia Barakat (Advisor) - DU
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 268; 991014632421204721