ADOLESCENTI CON SCOLIOSI : ASPETTI PSICOLOGICI E PSICOPATOLOGICI

BACKGROUND: The present study focuses on psychological and psychopathological aspects in children and adolescents with scoliosis. METHODS: The case series included 28 subjects with scoliosis (7 males, 21 females; range 9-25 years; mean age 15.8 years) admitted to the Dept. of Orthopaedics of Gaslini Institute and referred to our observation. Psychological approach included semi-structured interviews focused on the evolution of scoliosis and based on questions about consciousness of illness, family and patient emotional reactions during treatment; familial, social and school adaptation; body image; onset of psychopathological disorders. Family relational and educational attitudes were also considered. The following psychological tests were also performed: Raven Progressive Matrices; "Draw-a-Person" test; Sacks' battery of incomplete sentences to evaluate cognitive aspects, body image, familial and social relationships, interactive aspects. RESULTS: During adolescence consciousness of illness appeared concomitantly with the beginning of treatment. Most subjects presented intellectual-relational compensation strategies, but in a reasonable number of cases they showed insecurity and inferiority feelings. On a conscious level, body image appeared normal in most cases, but unconsciously (in 45% of cases) there were anguish aspects related to feelings of body deterioration. During long-term treatments anxious reactions, sometimes temporary, (in 36% of cases) and depressive aspects (in 9% of cases) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained stress the importance of the family and the medical staff in providing a reassuring and firm support, in order to face difficulties related to the patient's illness.