Social Support and Its Association With the Quality of Life (QoL) of Amputees

Abstract

Objectives: Social support is an essential source of psychological support that a disabled person needs in daily life. Social support and level of satisfaction affect how the patient perceives the various stresses of life. Because of few studies on amputees, it is necessary to study social support and its impact on their quality of life (QoL). This study investigates social support and its relationship to QoL among amputation cases living in Kut City, Iraq. Methods: This correlational study was conducted on 150 participants attending the Prosthetics Center in Kut. We investigated the relationship between social support and the QoL of amputees. The study questionnaire’s reliability was assessed through a pilot study, and it was subsequently presented to experts for validation. The information was collected through interview techniques and evaluated using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Results: The Mean age of the participants was 38 years. They were mostly married males and unemployed with low economic status. Findings show that 68% of the participants expressed poor social support. Their social status, residents, and income had been influenced the social support (Mean±SD: 34.18±14.978), and 62% expressed a poor QoL (Mean±SD: 85.37±21.008). There was a significant correlation between social support and QoL (P=0.000), and social support significantly affected the QoL for amputation cases (P=0.000). Discussion: There is a strong significant positive correlation between social support and QoL. The QoL among amputated cases was dependent on their social support. If family, friends, and community members provide embellished social support for amputees, they can face adversity and crises and lead their lives more effectively.

Keywords

• social support
• quality of life
• amputation