The Effect of Age, Gender and Socioeconomic Status on Self-esteem, Body Image and Quality of Life of Amputees: An Evaluation Seven Years after the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake

Authors

  • Tin-Wai J Lam Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin
  • Long-Ching L Tang Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin
  • WW Chau Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin
  • SW Law Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin; Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Tai Po; Department of Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, Tai Po Hospital
  • KM Chan Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v29i3.779

Keywords:

Persons with amputation, earthquake, self-esteem, body image, quality of life, rehabilitation, psychological well-being

Abstract

Purpose: Psychological well-being is a growing concern in society. It is starting to play a pivotal role in the treatment and care of clients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of age, sex and socioeconomic status on the self-esteem, body image and quality of life of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake amputees. Many of them are at a significant stage in their lives, especially those who are making the transition from childhood and adolescence into adulthood.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2015. Forty-five participants were recruited from clinic sessions in Sichuan. The main outcome measures were Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), Chinese Amputee Body Image Scale (CABIS), and WHO Quality of Life-Bref Instrument (WHO-QOL-Bref). Results were analysed using Student’s T-test and Chi-square test where appropriate, and ANOVA for multi-group comparisons.

Results: Participants under 18 years of age scored higher in RSE (p=0.05), and lower in CABIS (p<0.005). They also scored higher in various QOL domains (D3: p<0.08, D4: p=0.06) and WHOQOL-Bref question 2 (p=0.06). Participants of different SES did not show any significant differences in the outcome measures. Female subjects scored higher in WHOQOL-Bref Question 1 (p=0.03).

Conclusion and Implication: Younger amputees have less body image distortion, higher quality of life and self-esteem compared to older amputees. Female amputees also appear to have a higher quality of life compared to male amputees. Socioeconomic status does not affect rehabilitation outcome and psychological well-being of amputees. However, the main factors affecting psychological well-being appear to be predominantly age and, possibly, gender.

Author Biographies

Tin-Wai J Lam, Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin

The author is a final year medical student at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (MBChB Global Physician-Leadership Stream). She has participated in multiple clinics and field visits with the Stand TALL team during her pre-clinical years. Her research interests are: surgical health outcomes, clinical interventions and outcomes and patient management and rehabilitation.

 

 

Long-Ching L Tang, Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin

The author is a final year medical student at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (MBChB Global Physician-Leadership Stream).

 

WW Chau, Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin

The author is a Research Associate at the Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, The Chinese Univeristy of Hong Kong. Research interests are: Scoliosis prevention, management and rehabilitation; work-injury rehabilitation; and health outcomes in children and young adults

 

SW Law, Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin; Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Tai Po; Department of Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, Tai Po Hospital

The author is a Consultant at Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital; a Clinical Associate Professor (Honorary), Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology); a Consultant at Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital; Board Member, Rehabilitation Subspecialty Board, The Hong Kong College of Orthopaedic Surgeons; and executive committee member of the Stand TALL programme. Research interests are: Orthopaedic rehabilitation, work injury rehabilitation, amputee rehabilitation, musculoskeletal chronic pain management 

 

KM Chan, Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin

Kai Ming Chan is an Emeritus Professor of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. He was previously a Chair Professor at Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The author was also a Founding president between 1995-97 of the Asia-Pacific Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (APOSSM) now renamed as Asian-Pacific Knee, Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine Society (APKASS) and President of the Hong Kong Orthopaedic Association (HKOA), Hong Kong College of Orthopaedic Surgeon (HKCOS), Chinese Speaking Orthopaedic Society (CSOS). His clinical expertise is in sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery of the knee and shoulder, tendinopathies and rehabilitation of sport Injuries

 

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Published

2019-02-23

How to Cite

1.
Lam T-WJ, Tang L-CL, Chau W, Law S, Chan K. The Effect of Age, Gender and Socioeconomic Status on Self-esteem, Body Image and Quality of Life of Amputees: An Evaluation Seven Years after the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake. DCIDJ [Internet]. 2019 Feb. 23 [cited 2024 Oct. 18];29(3):32-47. Available from: https://dcidj.uog.edu.et/index.php/up-j-dcbrid/article/view/303

Issue

Vol. 29 No. 3 (2018): Autumn 2018

Section

Original Research Articles

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