Psychosocial Adjustment Of Patients Research Articles

The effect of illness perception on psychosocial adjustment of patients with breast cancer and their spouses: actor–partner independence model

ObjectiveWith the increase in the prevalence rate and improvements in the survival of breast cancer patients, there is a growing interest in understanding the level of psychosocial adjustment in these patients. The study aimed to describe the illness perception and psychosocial adjustment levels of both breast cancer patients and their spouses, to use the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) to clarify the actor-partner relationships between spouses, and to explore the impact of illness perception on psychosocial adjustment to the disease within the joint actions of both spouses.MethodsA total of 216 female patients with breast cancer and their spouses participated in the study. They were selected from two tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province, China from October 2022 to May 2023 using a convenience sampling method. The participants were assessed using the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale to examine the relationship between illness perception and psychosocial adjustment. AMOS24.0 was used to test and analyze the actor-partner interdependence model.ResultsThe illness perception score (57.75 ± 10.91) was slightly higher than that of the spouse (57.10 ± 11.00), and the psychosocial adjustment score (64.67 ± 6.33) was slightly lower than that of the spouse (64.76 ± 7.49). The results of the actor-partner interdependence model indicated that there was a couple partner between breast cancer patients and their spouses: the spouse’s illness perception significantly affected the patient’s psychosocial adjustment (β = 0.095, p = 0.015); the patient’s illness perception also significantly affected the spouse’s psychosocial adjustment (β = 0.106, p = 0.033). Among them, the patient’s psychosocial adjustment was found to be related to the patient’s illness comprehensibility or coherence of illness (β = 0.433, p = 0.009), the spouse’s emotional illness representation (β = 0.218, p = 0.037), and the spouse’s illness comprehensibility or coherence of illness (β = 0.416, p = 0.007), while the spouse’s psychosocial adjustment was only related to the spouse’s illness comprehensibility or coherence of illness (β = 0.528, p = 0.007).ConclusionsThe psychosocial adjustment of breast cancer patients is affected by both their own and spouse’s illness perception. Therefore, in the future, the healthcare staff can implement early psychological interventions for patients diagnosed with breast cancer and their spouses as a unit to promote the psychosocial adjustment of them.

The effect of caregivers’ care burden and psychological resilience on the psychosocial adjustment of patients with open heart surgery in Turkey

ABSTRACT This cross-sectional study investigated the effect of caregivers’ care (n = 100) burden and psychological resilience on the psychosocial adjustment of patients (n = 100) with open heart surgery. Patients had poor psychosocial adjustment. Caregivers who felt incompetent in providing care had a higher care burden and a lower psychological resilience than those who did not. In addition, patients whose caregivers had higher resilience and lower burden of care had better psychosocial adjustment. The results of this study compellingly demonstrate the importance and necessity of supportive and preventive clinical social work interventions to enhance patients’ adaptation to a new lifestyle and compliance with treatment during the cardiac rehabilitation process, and reduce the burden on caregivers.

Personal Variables, Pastoral Counselling and Patients’ Psychosocial Adjustment in Government Hospitals in Cross River State, Nigeria

The study investigated the influence of Personal Variables, Pastoral Counselling on Psychosocial Adjustment of Patients in Government Hospitals in Cross River State, Nigeria. Three hypotheses directed the study and relevant literature was reviewed. The ex-post factor research design was used. The population consisted of 4,200 inpatients in Government Hospitals in Cross River State, Nigeria. 420 respondents were randomly selected as sample for the study. The questionnaires titled “Personal Variables, Pastoral Counselling and Patients’ Psychosocial Adjustment Questionnaire (PEVAQ) was used for data collection. The instrument was subjected to validation by experts in Measurement and Evaluation Pastoral Counsellors in the Faculty of Education, University of Calabar. The test-retest reliability method was used with sub-scale estimates of 71-80 were found to be high enough, hence the instrument was deemed reliable. Independent t-test was used to test the hypotheses at .05 level of significance with relative degree of freedom. The result showed that age, perception towards pastoral counselling, counselling except gender significantly influence patient’s psychosocial adjustment in Government Hospitals in Cross River State, Nigeria. It was concluded that personal variable, pastoral counselling influence patients’ psychosocial adjustment in the hospitals. It was therefore recommended among others that apart from administering drugs therapies on patient, their psychology, emotion, self-concept should be worked upon to boost their self-confidence, their resolve and their mentality to adjustment and recovery while on admission in the hospitals.

Psychosocial Adjustment Changes and Related Factors in Postoperative Oral Cancer Patients: A Longitudinal Study.

Disease and treatment-related symptoms and dysfunctions can interfere with the psychosocial adjustment of patients with oral cancer. Identifying factors influencing psychosocial maladjustment is important because at-risk individuals can be targeted for early intervention. This prospective longitudinal study investigated psychosocial adjustment changes and associated factors in postoperative oral cancer patients. Data on psychosocial adjustment, facial disfigurement, symptoms, and social support were collected before surgery (T1) at one month (T2), three months (T3), and five months after discharge (T4). Fifty subjects completed the study, and their data were included in the analysis. Psychosocial maladjustment was reported in 50%, 59.2%, 66%, and 62% of subjects at T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively. The subjects' psychosocial adjustment deteriorated after surgery. Results from generalized estimating equations indicated that financial status, cancer stage, pain, speech problems, social eating problems, and less sexuality were significant predictors of changes in psychosocial adjustment. Patients with insufficient income, stage III/IV cancer, severe pain, speech problems, social eating problems, and less sexuality were at higher risk for postoperative psychosocial maladjustment. Continued psychosocial assessment and appropriate supportive measures are needed to strengthen the psychosocial adjustment of these high-risk groups.

Relationship between medication adherence and psychosocial adjustment in patients with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study

Adherence to drug treatment is a multidimensional concept. It is affected by many factors, such as physiological, psychological, family, environmental and social conditions. However, relatively little is known about the relationship between adherence to medication and psychosocial adjustment. The aim was to explore the relationship between adherence to antidiabetic drugs and the psychosocial adjustment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This cross-sectional descriptive correlational study was conducted between March and June 2018. A convenience sample of participants was recruited from seven internal disease outpatient clinics at a public tertiary hospital, located in a large city that serves as a gateway to nearby rural and urban areas in the north-west region of Turkey. Data were collected using the Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale (ARMS-7), and the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale–Self Report (PAIS–SR). This study is reported in accordance with STROBE. Pearson’s correlation analysis found a significant weak positive correlation between all domains of the PAIS–SR and the total scores on the ARMS‐7. The participants’ scores on medication refill were found to be significantly and positively correlated with all of the PAIS–SR domain scores except the sexual relationships domain. Psychosocial care could play a crucial role in improving drug regimen adherence among patients with diabetes. Therefore, nurses should integrate psychosocial care into daily practice.

Psychosocial adjustment to a prostate cancer diagnosis in a cohort of radical prostatectomy patients in Quebec, Canada.

The psychosocial impact of a prostate cancer diagnosis significantly affects a patient's quality of life. We studied patient communication at the time of diagnosis and its impact on psychosocial adjustment of patients. This is a cross-sectional data analysis from self-administered questionnaires in the PROCURE biobank study, consisting of a cohort of patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy in Québec (Canada), 2006 to 2013. Odds ratios (OR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using binary or ordered logistic regression models. Data from 1841 patients were analyzed. The median age of patients was 62years (range 41-80years), the majority was French-Canadian (68.3%) and married (79.6%). Most patients (90.1%) considered conversations with their treating physician a useful information source. Patients were dissatisfied on the communication when receiving their diagnosis by telephone (OR=0.19, 95% CI, 0.11-0.33). Younger patients were also more dissatisfied. Most patients preferred to receive information on prostate cancer (89.5%) and radical prostatectomy (88.0%) at the time of diagnosis, while only 58.8% and 52.4% of patients received this information at this stage. Patients who were dissatisfied with the communication of the diagnosis had more negative responses, such as increased worries and fear (P<0.05). The five most useful coping mechanisms were physical activity (62.3%), breathing exercises (44.5%), music (32.8%), faith (30.3%), and muscle relaxation (30.1%), but varied by demographics. This study highlights the importance of physicians communicating a prostate cancer diagnosis well to their patients. Patients may benefit from individually tailored interventions to facilitate their overall coping.

Effects of Social Support on Psycho-Social Adjustment of Patients with Breast Cancer in Setting of Lahore Pakistan

Effects of Social Support on Psycho-Social Adjustment of Patients with Breast Cancer in Setting of Lahore Pakistan

162 Psychosocial adjustment of patients with breast cancer

162 Psychosocial adjustment of patients with breast cancer

The long-term psychosocial outcomes following excision of sacrococcygeal teratoma: a national study

ObjectiveThe overall effect of the reported long-term sequelae following sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) excision on the psychosocial and sexual development has not been addressed appropriately in the literature. The aim of...

Abstract P6-08-03: Informational needs and psychosocial assessment of patients in their first year after metastatic breast cancer diagnosis

Abstract Background: Psychosocial distress is common after a diagnosis of breast cancer. Little is known about the informational needs and the psychosocial adjustment of patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) within the first year of their diagnosis. Methods: Patients with MBC from a single academic institution completed a cross-sectional self-administered paper survey. The survey included demographics, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Toronto Informational Needs Questionnaire-Breast Cancer (TINQ). Medical history was obtained by chart review. The Spearman correlation coefficient assessed the relationship between TINQ and the following: age at MBC diagnosis, disease free interval (DFI), time between survey completion and MBC diagnosis, number of lines of therapy, and HADS. Results: Fifty-two (90%, 50F 2M) patients completed the survey. Median age at MBC diagnosis was 52 yrs (range 22–81). Thirty-nine (75%) patients had completed college, 92% were Caucasian. Median time between MBC diagnosis and survey completion was 6 months (range 1–12). Sixteen (31%) patients had de novo stage 4 disease. At time of survey completion, 36 (69%) patients were on 1st line therapy with some patients were receiving their 4th line of therapy. SF-36 scores were lower in all 8 subscales compared to the general population. In particular, role limitations due to physical health (Norm-based transformation mean score 39.3, SD=12.1), social functioning (Mean 41.8, SD=12.7), role limitations due to emotional problems (Mean 43.3, SD=13.3), vitality (Mean 44.1, SD=10.8) and general health (Mean 44.3, SD=12.1) were diminished. The Physical and Mental Component Summary norm-based transformation scores were 43.2 (SD = 11.7) and 45.4 (SD = 11.3) respectively.9/48 (19%) patients met criteria for anxiety, and 4/48 (8%) patients met criteria for depression by HADS criteria (scores &amp;gt; 11). TINQ scores range from 51 to 255, with 35/52 (69%) having a total score &amp;gt; 200, suggesting high informational need. Of the 5 subscales, treatment information was most important, followed by information about disease, physical care, psychosocial needs and investigative tests. The most important informational issues for patients were: if there was cancer anywhere else in their body (Mean score 4.78), how to deal with side effects (Score 4.78), and if there were ways to prevent treatment side effects (Score 4.77), with a score of 5=extremely important, and 1= not important. Only DFI correlated with TINQ (Spearman coefficient −0.413, p = 0.011), with patients who had a shorter DFI having greater informational needs. Age at MBC diagnosis, time of completion of survey, number of lines and HADS were not significant. Conclusion: Based on this study, patients with recently diagnosed MBC have high informational needs and poor psychosocial adjustment. The overall quality of life appears to be worse in this population of patients compared to the general population. There is also a subset of patients who are dealing with significant anxiety and depression. Additional research, education, and supportive care services aimed at meeting the informational and psychosocial needs of women living with MBC are warranted. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-08-03.

The Impact of Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairment on the Psychosocial Adjustment of Patients With Nonmetastatic Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada. Chemotherapy often is used as treatment for colorectal cancer, and studies have documented cognitive changes in patients after chemotherapy treatment. What remains unclear is the impact of such changes on a person's roles and relationships, herein referred to as psychosocial adjustment. The purpose of this research was to explore group differences in psychosocial adjustment and chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment in patients with colorectal cancer. Participants were assessed cross-sectionally, at various time points along their treatment trajectory, using the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self-Report (PAIS-SR) and the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). A statistically nonsignificant negative association was indicated between PAIS-SR and CANTAB results, indicating that they would have no meaning in a clinical context. No differences between groups were observed in terms of cognitive ability; however, patients who completed chemotherapy appeared to be at a higher risk for psychosocial maladjustment. This study suggests that cognitive changes do not influence patients' relationships and functional roles, as indicated from the PAIS-SR.

Comprehensive Assessment of Quality of Life and Psychosocial Adjustment in Patients With Renal Tumors Undergoing Open, Laparoscopic and Nephron Sparing Surgery

We prospectively evaluated the general and cancer specific quality of life, and psychosocial adjustment of patients with a renal mass treated with radical vs partial nephrectomy via a laparoscopic or an open approach. A total of 172 patients with renal tumors completed questionnaires before surgery, and 3 weeks, and 2, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. We assessed general quality of life using SF-36™ and cancer specific quality of life using the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System-Short Form, in addition to intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors and fear of recurrence. We used mixed model regression analysis to compare these measures across surgery types during the study course, adjusted for tumor size, histology, stage and renal function. The SF-36 physical component score differed significantly by surgery type with time (p = 0.04). Patients treated with laparoscopy improved by month 2 while those treated with open surgery had poorer quality of life until month 3. Better cancer specific quality of life was reported in patients who underwent radical vs partial nephrectomy. Age also had a significant effect on outcomes. We report one of the most comprehensive patient reported prospective quality of life studies in patients with renal cell carcinoma. There were significant differences in quality of life and psychosocial adjustment outcomes during 1 year among patients treated with 1 of 4 commonly accepted surgical renal procedures. These outcomes must be evaluated in the context of tumor characteristics, cancer specific outcomes and renal function. These quality of life issues may be important to consider when choosing surgical procedures for patients with renal tumors.

Evaluation of the Expert Patient Program in a Chinese Population With Permanent Colostomy

A colostomy can negatively impact patients' quality of life. Recent research findings suggest that self-efficacy and psychosocial adjustment are positively associated with quality of life, but there are few research reports about the self-efficacy and psychosocial adjustment of patients with a permanent colostomy. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a 3-week Expert Patient Program (EPP) on colostomy knowledge, stoma care self-efficacy, self-management, and psychosocial adjustment in Chinese patients who had a permanent colostomy. Eleven patients with permanent colostomy volunteered to be trained to be expert patients. Eighty-one patients with permanent colostomy were recruited and participated in the 3-week EPP courses. Questionnaires with items about knowledge on colostomy, stoma care self efficacy, self-management, and psychosocial adjustment were administered before and at 4 weeks following the EPP courses. Each EPP participant also completed a verbal interview at the end of the program. The EPP participants demonstrated statistically significant improvement (P < .01) in knowledge, self-efficacy, self-management, and psychosocial adjustment to colostomy (mean [SD]: 51.89 [11.45] vs 89.22 [19.90], 71.56 [5.93] vs 85.61 [14.32], 125.44 [19.27] vs 140.78 [15.34], 47.59 [9.64] vs 53.37 [10.68], respectively). Most participants gave positive ratings to the EPP. This study showed that the EPP was applied effectively in patients with permanent colostomy. This study highlights the importance of psychosocial support for patients with permanent colostomy. It offers a model of self-help practice in colostomy patients, supported by community that can benefit more patients with permanent colostomy.

Psychosocial aspects and psychiatric disorders in young adult with thalassemia major

Beta-thalassemia major (TM), a chronic, genetically determined hematological disorder, has received little investigation on the psychological aspects of the disease and the psychosocial adjustment of patients with this anemia. Unfortunately, the few psychological studies referred on the literature are generally limited to the investigation of the only children with thalassemia major. The study was planned to assess the self-image, the quality of life, the way of coping and to investigate the existence of psychiatric disorders in young adults with thalassemia major. 147 patients were included in the study. Patients were psychologically investigated by three interviews: the first connects some psychosocial information, the second submits patients to the psychological test and the third gives back the results obtained by the test. The psychological test consists of the ways of coping questionnaire (WCQ), the Machover's test, The short form 36-health survey questionnaire (SF-36) and symptom-check-list-90 revised (SCL-90-R) were performed on all patients. Vis-à-vis identity and self-image were found to be low with feeling of insufficiency and being exposed to vulnerability in 80% of patients with TM. Evaluation of mean values of symptomatological dimensions in these patients showed a personality characterized by somatization (SOM), depression (DEP) and obsessive-compulsive traits. The principal coping strategy used is escape-avoidance. No statistically significant differences occurred to relation to gender, age, level education and SCL-90-R and WCQ scores. Estimation of the SF-36 scores showed that the emotional role and social function values were considerably lower than in all of the domain. As a result, the study showed that most of the patients with TM had severe psychosocial problems. Relying on these data, it was concluded that medical therapy of these patients should be supported with psychological aid and psychiatric treatment.

Predictors of psychosocial adjustment in people with physical disease

The purpose of this paper was to examine the demographic, medical and psychosocial variables that result in the deterioration of psychosocial adjustment in patients with physical disease, the meaning their illness has for them and their coping style. The study was carried out in inpatient clinics of the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine (n = 198). The following evaluation instruments were used: a semi-structured questionnaire, the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self Report (PAIS-SR), the Meaning of Illness Questionnaire (MIQ), the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale, the Multivariate Perceived Social Support Questionnaire and the Ways of Coping Inventory (WCI). Variables to be related with psychosocial adjustment were analysed by using Forward Logistic Regression. The mean age of patients was 36.9 (SD 12.9) (18-65), 55% of which were women, the average PAIS-SR score was 1.02 (SD 0.41) (0.7-2.26); 47% of the patients had poor adjustment scores. Univariate analysis showed that psychosocial adjustment was affected by having children (p = 0.02), anxiety, depression, locus of control, perceived social support (p < 0.001), information level about their illness and its treatment (p = 0.01), the subscales of WCI [escape-avoidance (p < 0.001), distancing (p = 0.002), planned problem solving (p < 0.001), positive re-appraisal (p = 0.02)]. The psychosocial adjustment of patients with respiratory or infectious illnesses or bone-muscle-skeletal disorders was even less (p = 0.03). All 33 items of the MIQ were found to have a significant impact on psychosocial adjustment (p < 0.001). According to the regression analysis, the best predictors of psychosocial adjustment were: depression (p < 0.001) and the meaning of illness for patient (p < 0.01). Having a physical illness is an important stress factor. In providing assistance, a number of factors should be taken into consideration, including how the patient perceives his illness, the impact the illness has on the patient's life, and a determination of the degree of depression being experienced by the patient. The study indicated some predictors in the assessment of psychosocial adjustment and care of patients with physical illness. In daily clinical practice, among the patients with physical illness, those with a negative perception of their illness and those who define depression should be given special attention for psychosocial support.

Psychosocial Adjustment to Visual Loss in Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa

Purpose: To investigate psychosocial adjustment to visual loss in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty-three legally blind patients with RP participated in the study. Information regarding the patients' adjustment to their visual loss was obtained using the Psychological Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS-SR). Seven psychosocial domains were tested: health-care orientation, vocational environment, domestic environment, sexual relationships, extended family relationships, social environment, and psychological distress. These scores were compared with the psychosocial adjustment of patients with diabetes. Results: Significantly elevated scores (a high score reflecting poor adjustment) were seen in four out of seven domains. The highest relative score was seen in the health-care orientation domain (65 ± 14, p < 0.001), followed by vocational function (61 ± 11, p < 0.001), social environment (58 ± 9, p < 0.001), and extended family relationships (55 ± 9, p < 0.05). The total PAIS score was significantly elevated (58 ± 8; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with RP have difficulties in adjusting to their visual loss particularly with respect to health-care orientation, vocational environment, social environment, and extended family relationships. They face more difficulties in these domains than diabetic patients in adjusting to their illness.

Psychosocial adjustment of patients and caregivers prior to allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

There are many studies that examine the psychosocial adjustment of survivors of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). On the other hand, there are relatively few studies that examine the psychosocial adjustment of patients prior to BMT, and even fewer that focus on the psychosocial adjustment of the patient's caregiver. The purpose of the present study was to assess performance status and psychosocial adjustment to illness, mood and stress response of patients and caregivers prior to admission for allogeneic BMT. Forty patients and their 39 caregivers were assessed using standardized measures. One-fourth of the patients reported clinical levels of psychosocial maladjustment on the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale and had greater adjustment problems than BMT survivors. Approximately one-third (35%) and one-quarter (23%) of the patients reported significant symptoms of intrusive and avoidance stress responses, respectively on the Impact of Events Scale. Caregivers reported more impairments in family relationships than patients, but overall reported similar distress to that of patients. Information about the pre-BMT process appears to be critical to understanding the psychosocial impact that BMT can have on patients and their caregivers.

Psychosocial adjustment of patients on home hemodialysis and their dialysis partners.

When hemodialysis (HD) became practical as an intervention for patients with end-stage renal disease, most were on home HD. The numbers of patients requiring dialysis are increasing as the resources for them are decreasing. Simultaneously, there is a move toward home health care. This study investigated the psychosocial reactions of patients on home HD and their dialysis partners, how decisions were made to choose home HD, and the patients' perception of HD stressors. The participants were 14 patients on home HD and their dialysis partners; 7 were husband-wife pairs, 2 mother-daughter pairs, 1 sister pair, and 1 friend pair. Instruments included the Clinical Anxiety Scale, the Generalized Contentment Scale, the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale Self-Report, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale, and the Hemodialysis Stressor Scale. Interview data and the psychosocial adjustment levels of patients and partners support the effectiveness of HHD. Further research with a larger sample is needed.

Self-Care and Psychosocial Adjustment of Patients Following Cardiac Surgery

ABSTRACT This research examined the role of self-care behavior of 151 patients (aged 40 to 80) on general psychological distress at one year after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. A tested hypothesis was that self-care practices would be associated with a lower level of distress one year after surgery. The results supported the beneficial effect of self-care on psychological adjustment, after controlling for the effects of the number of other chronic illnesses and post-CABG depression. The findings suggest that social work in health care and in-home care may help promote the psychosocial recovery process following surgery.

Psychosocial aspects and psychiatric disorders in children with thalassemia major.

beta-thalassemia major (TM), a chronic, genetically determined hematological disorder, has received little investigation on the psychological aspects of the disease and the psychosocial adjustment of patients with this anemia. In the present study, the aim was to assess the mental capacity, self-image, hopelessness and anxiety displayed by children who suffered from TM, and to investigate the existence of psychiatric disorders in these children. Twenty-five children (16 boys and 9 girls) with TM, 12.0-19.6 years old, from the Hematology Unit of the Department of Pediatrics at the SSK Tepecik Teaching Hospital, were included in the study. Fifteen healthy cases matched for age, sex and socio-economic status were used as controls. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale), Offer Self-Image Questionnaire, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Trait Anxiety Inventory, Symptom Check List (revised) and the Family Assessment Device were performed on all patients. Then, the patients were evaluated for a psychiatric disorder by a psychiatrist (according to the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV of the American Psychiatric Association). The results for the patients and control cases were compared statistically using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Self-image was found to be significantly lower in patients with TM than in control cases (P < 0.01). Hopelessness and Trait-Anxiety scores were determined to be significantly higher in patients with TM than in control cases (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Eighty percent of the patients with TM have had at least one psychiatric disorder. As a result, the study showed that most of the patients with TM had severe psychosocial problems. Relying on these data, it was concluded that medical therapy of these patients should be supported with psychological aid and psychiatric treatment.