AbstractsPsychology

THE EFFECT OF SURGICAL DECISION MAKING ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN ADOLESCENTS WITH CRANIOFACIAL CONDITIONS

by CAROLINE M. SOKOLOWSKI RUTA




Institution: Illinois Institute of Technology
Department: Psychology
Degree: MS
Year: 2012
Keywords: M.S. in Psychology, July 2011
Record ID: 1985782
Full text PDF: http://hdl.handle.net/10560/2475


Abstract

Previous research concerning the delivery of medical services to adolescents, specifically the extent to which young people are involved in the planning of their care, is lacking. This study investigated the importance of the decision-making process in adolescents with craniofacial conditions (CFCs) and whether their involvement in surgical decision-making has an effect on their perceived surgical outcome. Additionally, the study explored whether resilience factors such as positive self-concept, freedom from depression, coping abilities, and positive views of CFCs positively influence surgical outcome. Results demonstrated that coping abilities and positive views of CFCs predicted positive surgical outcome. Active participation in the decision-making process also predicted positive surgical outcome, though the effect size was trivial. Lastly, adolescent psychological health did not have an influence on surgical outcome. Limitations and areas for future research are discussed.