Psychologic characteristics of polio survivors: A preliminary report

Linda J. Conrady, Joel R. Wish, James C. Agre, Arthur A. Rodriquez, Keith B. Sperling

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ninety-three men and women with histories of polio were administered the Symptome Check List-90 Revised (SCL-90R), Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self Report (PAIS-SR), and a questionnaire about their polio histories. The SCL-90R and PAIS-SR are measures of emotional and psychosocial functioning. Two samples were used: a clinic sample (n = 71) and a postpolio support group sample (n = 22). Initial results for both on the SCL-90R and PAIS-SR indicated elevated scores on a number of subscales. SCL-90R subscale elevated scores for men included those for somatization, depression, anxiety, hostility, and phobia, whereas for women there were elevations on measures of somatization, depression, anxiety, and psychoticism. Elevations were found in the following subscales on the PAIS-SR (pooling men and women): health care orientation, social environment, and extended family relationships. Men scored slightly, but not significantly, higher than women in the SCL-90R except for the hostility subscale, in which the difference was significant (p < 0.05). Symptom profiles indicated psychologic distress. Comparisons with variables associated with polio and its late effects (such as severity of initial polio, use of an iron lung during initial illness, number of involved limbs, etc) were not statistically significant.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)458-463
Number of pages6
JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume70
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1989

Keywords

  • Adjustment
  • Poliomyelitis
  • Psychology
  • Psychopathology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Psychologic characteristics of polio survivors: A preliminary report'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this