PSYCHOSOCIAL ADAPTATION OF RESIDENTS IN GERONTOLOGY CENTER SARAJEVO Cover Image

PSIHOSOCIJALNA PRILAGODBA KORISNIKA U GERONTOLOŠKOM CENTRU SARAJEVO
PSYCHOSOCIAL ADAPTATION OF RESIDENTS IN GERONTOLOGY CENTER SARAJEVO

Author(s): Ensar Tičić, Adela Bahto
Subject(s): Psychology
Published by: Logotip
Keywords: elderly; psychosocial adaptation; institutionalization

Summary/Abstract: Disorders in psychosocial adaptation are one of the dominant characteristics of aging. Research of psychological state during the institutional adaptation is important for mental disorders prevention so as to improve the life quality in the institution. Change of residence causes discomfort at any age, but is particularly difficult in the old age. For the elderly residence change is often accompanied by social isolation and adjustment problems. The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of sociodemografic features, functional status and length of stay in the institution to the variance explanation of Gerontology Center Sarajevo residents’ psychosocial adaptation. Psychosocial adaptation was operationalized through 9 primary dimensions: somatization, obsessive-compulsiveness, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation and psychoticism. This study included 134 residents (70 women and 64 men), average age 79 (59-106 years). According to the results of regression analysis gender (β = -.242, p < 0.01) and age (β = .210, p < 0.05) are significant predictors of anxiety, functional status (mobility) is significant predictor of phobic anxiety (β = - .194; p < 0.05), while SES (β = -.292, p < 0.01) and length of stay in institution (β = .215, p < 0.05) proved to be significant predictors of general symptoms. The results are partly in line with the results of similar studies and may contribute to the understanding of these issues and to the treatment programs creation.

  • Issue Year: 2013
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 19-31
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Bosnian