Association of State and Trait Anxiety Between Patients Who Had Undergone Traumatic Amputation and Their Family Caregivers

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore the association between state and trait anxiety experienced by patients who had undergone traumatic amputation and their family caregivers. The sample studied consisted of 50 hospitalized patients who had undergone traumatic amputation and 50 family caregivers. The collected data included patients’ and caregivers’ characteristics and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory scores. Fifty percent of patients and caregivers scored below 50 and 47, respectively (median), in trait anxiety. In terms of state anxiety, at least 50% of patients and caregivers scored below 56 and 50.5, respectively. These values indicate moderate to high levels of the impact of amputation on the trait and state anxiety of amputees and their caregivers. A positive linear correlation was found between the trait and state anxiety of the patients as well as between the trait and state anxiety of caregivers, as expected (ρ = 0.915, P < .001, and ρ = 0.920, P < .001, respectively). A statistically significant positive correlation was also observed between state patient anxiety and state anxiety of caregivers (ρ = 0.239 and P = .039) and between trait patient anxiety and trait anxiety of caregivers (ρ = 0.322 and P = .030). More specifically, as the patient’s anxiety score (either trait temporary) increases, the score of the caregivers’ anxiety increases and vice versa. Nurses should be aware of the association between anxiety of amputees and caregivers and, therefore, work in multidisciplinary teams to maximize clinical outcomes for patients after amputation and their families.

Longitudinal changes on the quality of life in caregivers of type 2 diabetes amputee patients

“…The limitations of patients receiving care, time restriction to their own needs and overwork are some of the factors that can be stressful for the caregiver (11). Stress in caring for a chronic patient may have several consequences on the caregiver's health and well-being (12). Caregivers under stress tend to report higher amounts of depressive symptoms, anxiety, greater use of psychotropic drugs, lower life satisfaction, higher number of symptoms related to psychological stress and worse subjective health evaluation (11).…”

Body image and traumatic amputation

“…However, they both result in significant disability. 1 Amputation is a significant socioeconomic burden, globally as it is associated with high morbidity, multiple surgeries, prolonged hospitalization, long recovery and increased disability rates. 1,2,3 Advances in the field of microsurgery do not always entail restoring functionality to pre-injury levels.…”

“…1 Amputation is a significant socioeconomic burden, globally as it is associated with high morbidity, multiple surgeries, prolonged hospitalization, long recovery and increased disability rates. 1,2,3 Advances in the field of microsurgery do not always entail restoring functionality to pre-injury levels. 1 Furthermore, a traumatic amputation induces several limitations in performing professional, leisure, personal and social activities which in turn adversely affect mental health, [1][2][3] with both amputees and caregivers to experience anxiety.…”

“…1,2,3 Advances in the field of microsurgery do not always entail restoring functionality to pre-injury levels. 1 Furthermore, a traumatic amputation induces several limitations in performing professional, leisure, personal and social activities which in turn adversely affect mental health, [1][2][3] with both amputees and caregivers to experience anxiety. 1 Interestingly, traumatic amputees are called upon to deal with a new reality in their lives, which requires monitoring, increased use of social care services and long rehabilitation.…”

“…1 Furthermore, a traumatic amputation induces several limitations in performing professional, leisure, personal and social activities which in turn adversely affect mental health, [1][2][3] with both amputees and caregivers to experience anxiety. 1 Interestingly, traumatic amputees are called upon to deal with a new reality in their lives, which requires monitoring, increased use of social care services and long rehabilitation. [1][2][3] Strikingly more, the disruption of human body integrity affects the perception of amputees' appearance.…”