FEATURES OF COPING BEHAVIOR IN PATIENTS WITH OBLITERATING ATHEROSCLEROSIS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES BLOOD VESSELS

Aim. Studying of coping behaviors, in particular coping strategies related to body image, in patients with obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities, who underwent amputation. Materials and Methods. The experimental sample consisted of 20 patients who underwent lower limb amputation due to obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower limbs arteries (13 men, 7 women, mean age – 67.35±9.2 years). Control group – 20 respondents (13 women, 7 men, mean age – 71.25±9.7 years), who have no obliterating atherosclerosis and other serious comorbidities. To study coping strategies, the following methods were used: the Technique of overcoming difficult life situations (authors – W. Janke, G. Erdmann); the Scale of the impact of a traumatic event assessment (author – M.J. Horowitz); the Situational inventory of body image dysphoria (short form) (author – T.F. Cash); the Body image coping test (author – T.F. Cash). Results. There were statistically significant differences between the groups in the level of severity of the following coping strategies: decrease in value in a stressful situation (Uemp=80, p<0.01); self-approval (Uemp=76, p<0.01); self-justification (Uemp=98.5, p<0.01); self-affirmation (Uemp=111, p<0.01); anticipatory avoidance (Uemp=117, p<0.05); social isolation (Uemp=136.5, p<0.05); medication (Uemp=134.5, p<0.05); avoidance of experience (Uemp=117.5, p<0.01). Correlation analysis was used to identify statistically significant relationships between general coping strategies and coping strategies aimed at adaptation to altered appearance in patients who survived lower limb amputation. Conclusions. The obtained results allowed to describe the features of coping behavior of patients with lower limb amputation in the early postoperative period, including the specificity of the use of coping strategies associated with body image management. The revealed patterns can be used to create an effective rehabilitation program aimed at accepting changes in physical appearance.