PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PRESSURE SORES

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 60  (8) , 341-346
Abstract
To determine if psychosocial factors, not purely mechanical aspects, play an important part in the incidence of pressure sores, 141 subjects [human] were tested on 3 psychosocial measures. Differences exist among groups in pressure sore history and psychosocial measures. Contrary to the expectations of a mechanical skin problem model, quadriplegics as a group (rather than paraplegics) had a history of fewer pressure sores. Two variables, the subject''s responsibility in skin care (RESPON) and his satisfaction with the activities of life (SATIS), were significantly associated with the incidence of decubitus ulcers. The combination of RESPON, SATIS and the total positive score from The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale in multiple linear regression accounted for 26% of the pressure sore history in the total sample, 40% in the paraplegic group, 69% in the paraplegic with help group and 41% in the paraplegic without help group. The histories in the quadriplegic groups and subgroups did not show reliable associations with the 3 variables. SATIS contributed most in accounting for the incidence of pressure sores. The level of injury and these psychosocial factors are related to the incidence of pressure sores.

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