FEATURES OF THE TIME PERSPECTIVE IN PATIENTS WITH AN INTESTINAL STOMA

The time perspective is mainly considered in the context of various humanitarian disciplines: philosophy, sociology, history. The study of this construct is fundamental in understanding the dynamics of development and change of personality in crisis and extreme situations. Studies of the time perspective of patients who have undergone crippling surgery have relevance and practical significance. Here, the orientation of the time perspective is determined not only by the characteristics of the personality, but also by factors associated with the violation of the integrity of one's own body. Fixation on the past, present or future, imbalance of time perspective affects the dominant emotional state, value-semantic sphere, behavior and interpersonal relation ships. The psychotherapeutic resource of the time perspective consists in actualization and consolidation of orientation to the positive past and future with awareness of the present moment. The empirical study involved 40 ostomy patients (13 men, 27 women, mean age – 56+12 years). The respondents were comparable in socio-demographic characteristics. They were acquainted with the experimental procedure and signed the informed consent form. The hypothesis was that patients with temporary colostomy differ from patients with permanent colostomy in a more balanced time perspective. The results of mathematical and statistical processing of empirical data showed the absence of significant differences in the studied indicators of time perspective, life orientations, and hopelessness. Patients with temporary colostomy showed a higher level of tolerance to uncertainty, which is associated with their long stay in an ambiguous situation and the expectation of restoring the integrity of their own body. The revealed paerns will be useful in the development of programs for psychological support of ostomy patients: the formation of a balanced time perspective is the basis for the accumulation and activation of psychological resources necessary for successful coping.