Polio Survivors: Self Concept and Body Image

Abstract

This study examined the psychological effects of Post Polio Syndrome. In was expected that polio survivors would show more severe signs of depression and have a more negative self concept than a control group, and that severity of depression and poorer self concept would be related to the age of onset of polio. One hundred fifteen polio sutvivors were compared to a fontrol group of adults, who did not have any physically disabling illness throughout childhood, on the Beck Depression Inventory and Tennessee Self Concept Scale. The results revealed that polio survivors showed more severe depression and more negative self concept than the control group; however, age Of onset was not related to either depression or self concept. It is suggested that among the symptoms of Post Polio Syndrome, psychological symptoms need to be considered.