PRE- AND POST-OPERATIVE BODY IMAGE AND SELF IMAGE OF YOUTHS WITH SCOLIOSIS.

摘要

Twenty-one youths ranging in age from 8 to 18 with idiopathic scoliosis participated in a study designed to evaluate perception of bodily changes during hospitalization for surgery. The purpose of this study was to identify changes in responses related to the youths body image and self image after surgical correction of scoliosis.; A one-group pretest/posttest design was used for data collection. Each youth completed three instruments (Semantic Differential Test, Draw-A-Person Test, Sentence Completion Test) 1 to 3 days before surgery and 1 to 2 days after surgery.; Data were analyzed: Mean scores for the semantic differential data (concepts and subscales) were calculated. Distortion, anxiety, and area of insult scores for the human figure drawings were based on Machover's (1949) criteria. Articulation of body concept scores were determined by Witkin's Sophistication of Body Concept Rating Scale. Sentence completion responses were categorized according to the content of the responses, positive, negative or neutral, and related to body structure, function and sensation.; The major findings were as follows. The youths' self image (indicated by sentence completion responses) was negative before and after surgery. However, their semantic differential ratings of the concept "myself" was slightly positive before and after surgery. The youths were extremely concerned with body structure before and after surgery. Body sensation concerns expressed by the youths ranked second to body structure before and after surgery. Responses related to body function were the least area of concerns expressed by the youths before and after surgery.; The major conclusions: Youths treated surgically for idiopathic scoliosis have a high degree of concern about their body structure before and after surgery. The youths concern with body structure may be related to the drastic changes resulting from surgical intervention in a very vulnerable area (the back) at a time when identity formation is taking place. Change in body structure is perceived by the youths as a threat to their body image and self image. Youths treated surgically for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis may benefit from suggestions for attractive clothing which would de-emphasize the body cast.