Impacto do locus de controlo e estratégias de coping em doentes com dor crónica

Abstract

In Portugal there is a very limited amount of research of the impact of Locus of control and coping strategies used by pacients with chronic pain. Pain is a physiological phenomenon of crucial importance to the physical integrity of the individual. The beliefs that patients have about their disease and the strategies used by them are of enormous importance to the successful reduction of pain experienced by the subject. This research addresses the issue of chronic pain, trying to study the relationship between locus of control and coping strategies by patients with chronic pain in adapting to his new medical condition. The sample consists of all 100 patients belonging to Centro Hospitalar Do Alto Ave (CHAA). Will be applied four assessment instruments: Questionnaire Means to deal with the pain (Brown, 1995), Scale Visual Anolog (2000) and Beliefs Questionnaire of pain control (Skevinghton, 1995). Overall, the results show that subjects who participated in this study do not have adequate coping strategies, which demonstrates an attitude rectro-active before the illness. A large majority of these individuals tend to hold a lot of the sick role, playing with some difficulty to their daily activities and work. Concerning the assessment of beliefs, we note that the subjects who participated in this study have a locus of control, outward facing, ie, deposit the improvement of their disease in medical specialists and higher beliefs, stating that an improvement in your picture the general will help them. So, do not perform any activities proactively facing the therapeutic gain.It is hoped that this study will contribute to improving knowledge about the pain and the impact of this on quality of life in a sample of patients portugueses. A restructuring of dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes of patients in relation to their pain, needs adjusting to their realities, may show up as extremely effective.

Date of Award	3 Jun 2011
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Eleonora C. V. Costa (Supervisor) & Mário Lourenço (Co-Supervisor)