MULTIVARIATE MODELLING OF FACTORS ACTING ON ADAPTATION OF COLOSTOMY PATIENTS

Abstract

The objective of this study was identifying factors accounting for post-surgery adjusment of colostomy patients surgically intervened in five hospitals of Santiago (Chile) during 1987 and 1995. The adjusment of these patients was measuredby means of the Olbrisch's Ostomy Adjustment Scale (1983). Three múltiple regression equations were elaborated to model the main predictors associated to adaptation. To elimínate spuriousness sex, age and time from the surgical procedure as control variables were used. Main findings stated effects acting on the patients' adaptation from some socioeconomic variables such as the availability of social security; psycho-social variables as the loss of self-image or the perceived social support. The most important outcome established that patient's adaptation is a function of patient's self-care level.