Emotional indicators in young patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis: a study through the drawing of Human Figure

Can drawings help assessing dementia caregivers' burden? A preliminary study

The use of quantitative self-report methods for assessing the stress associated with dementia caregiving, especially among minority groups, has been lately criticized. The aim of this study was to examine whether Human Figures Drawings might provide a tool for assessing caregivers' burden. Sixty Israeli Arabs – 30 family caregivers of a person with dementia and 30 gender and age-matched non-caregivers – were asked to draw a caregiver of an elderly person with dementia and a caregiver of an elderly person with a physical disability. While no differences were found between the drawings of caregivers and non-caregivers, statistically significant differences were found between all the characteristics of the drawings depicting a caregiver of an elderly person with dementia and a caregiver of an elderly person with a physical disability, as drawn by caregivers. Several of the drawings' characteristics were significantly associated with caregiver burden. By introducing a nonverbal form of expression, Human Figures Drawings might add utility to the assessment of dementia caregivers' burden.

Introversion, the prevalent trait of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: an observational study

Background

A large number of studies about adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis focus on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, only a few articles aim at evaluating the personality of these patients. Therefore, the purpose of the present research is to assess the personality traits of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and their relationship with HRQOL.

Our hypothesis is that adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis present the principal personality trait of introversion, defined as self-reliance and inhibition in social relationships.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study. The examined group consisted of 43 patients (only 4 boys), mean age = 14.3 (SD = 2.23). On the day of the visit, HRQOL tools (Scoliosis Research Society-22 Questionnaire (SRS-22) and Trunk Appearance Perception Scale (TAPS)) and a personality test (16 Personality Factors-Adolescent Personality Questionnaire (16PF-APQ)) were completed; in addition, a posterior-anterior radiography was performed. Correlations among demographic and medical data and HRQOL and personality tests were assessed.

Results

Results for SRS-22 were as follows: Function 4.5 (SD = .4), Pain 4.3 (SD = .5), Self-image 3.6 (SD = .7), Mental Health 3.8. (SD = .7), and Subtotal 4.2 (SD = .7). Mean TAPS was 3.5 (SD = .6).

In personality, the lowest values were assessed for Extroversion (M = 29.4, SD = 24.7) and Self-reliance (M = 71, SD = 25.3).

Independence was negatively related to Self-image (r = −.51), Mental Health (r = −.54), and Subtotal SRS-22 (r = −.60) (p < .01).

Conclusions

Adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis presented a common style of personality, characterized by social inhibition (introversion), preference for staying alone, and being self-sufficient (self-reliance).

Specific programs in promoting social abilities may help adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis in finding a way to express themselves and to become more sociable. Correlational studies between personality and HRQOL need to be performed to better understand these issues.