Stress and Adjustment among persons with movement disorders

Abstract

Movement disorders refer to a cluster of central nervous system diseases and syndromes which affects the production and control of body movements. The disease severely compromises the ability to perform well-learned motor skills such as writing, walking, eating, turning around, and transferring in and out of bed. In spite of the severity of the problem and its impact on family and society, a little is known about the psychosocial adjustment pattern of people and the stress experienced by them. The present study is designed to find out nature, extent and correlates of stress experienced by the people with movement disorders and to identify the factors that modify the relationship between stress and overall adjustment. The study was survey in nature. The investigator developed and standardised the Activities of Daily Living inventory (ADLI), Movement Disorders Stress Scale (MDSS), Adjustment to Movement Disorders Scale (AMDS) and Proforma of movement disorders. The sample comprised of 142 persons with movement disorders aged between 40 and 60 years. The scores obtained were analysed using appropriate statistical techniques. The results revealed a significant difference in the level of stress and adjustment of persons with movement disorders based on selected socio-demographic variables. The findings of the study indicate that the persons with movement disorders confront problems related to activities of daily living, stress and adjustment. newline