Vets Irina V.

Background. The search for resources of timely health recovery after operations still remains relevant in psychology. However, the issue of regulatory and intrapersonal resources for achieving psychological well-being in the postoperative period stays around unresolved. 

Objective. The study had its purpose to investigate the contribution of conscious self-regulation and personality characteristics of patients to the achievement of normative health indicators and compliance with the terms of their health recovery after surgical interventions. 

Sample. The sample consisted of 128 patients (75 men and 53 women) who underwent high-tech knee/hip joint surgery. 

Methods. Questionnaire “Style of self-regulation of behavior — SSPM 2020”, “Scale of psychological well-being” by K. Riff, test questionnaire by Leonhard-Shmishek, questionnaire “Methods of coping behavior” by R. Lazarus, questionnaire for cognitive regulation of emotions (CERG), questionnaire “Secondary benefit from illness”, “Knee Score Scale”, “System hip joint assessments”. 

Results. As a result of statistical analysis, two groups of patients were identified — “observing” and “not observing” recovery periods. It is shown for the first time that the patient’s ability to plan his actions to achieve the goal of recovery, his using the coping strategy “Problem Solving Planning” and psychological setting for personality growth, serve as the significant resources for recovery. Psychological well-being achieved by the time of surgery can also be considered as a resource. The analysis has revealed a high importance of its component “Environment management”. Patients who do not comply with the terms of recovery tend to overestimate their capabilities in the rehabilitation process, do not plan their actions to achieve the goal of health, prefer to follow standard instructions. Demonstrative and anxious character accentuations turned out to slow down the recovery process. 

Conclusion. The data obtained can be used by psychologists and physicians in the rehabilitation programs, counseling and educational work. They can be also useful for the patients in order to increase their activity and life satisfaction during the period of independent recovery.

Background. The relevance of the study is due to the search for regulatory and intrapersonal resources for a successful way out of difficult life situations on the example of the postoperative period after high-tech operations on the large joints.

Objective. The study had its purpose to scrutinize the contribution of conscious selfregulation and coping strategies to overcoming difficult life situations.

Methods. “Self-Regulation Profile Questionnaire by Morosanova — SRPQM 2020”, questionnaire “Methods of Coping Behavior” by R. Lazarus, questionnaire of cognitive regulation of emotions by N. Garnefsky, “Knee Score Scale” modified by D. Insall, “Hip Joint Assessment System”.

Sample of the study consisted of 128 people of them: 80 men, 48 women (average age 55.76 ± 12.7), who underwent high-tech operations on the large joints. Measurements were carried out in two stages: before the operation and 1.5 months later.

Results confirm that most people experience difficulties in the process of self-recovery after high-tech operations. The study revealed a positive contribution of adaptive coping strategies, such as problem-solving planning and reviewing the situation from the positive side to the patients’ recovery. These coping strategies make a positive contribution to compliance with standard recovery deadlines and reduce the effect of ineffective cognitive-emotional strategies. Avoidance, denial of the problem, fantasizing and emotional distancing prevent a successful exit from a difficult life situation and delay the recovery process. The study also showed contribution of self-accusation, exaggeration of occurred events significance and blaming others to the difficulties that arise during self-rehabilitation. The research results demonstrate the system-forming resource role of conscious self-regulation in the successful overcoming difficult life situations, where conscious self-regulation acts as a central predictor and mediator of other personality characteristics.

Conclusions. Adaptive coping strategies and conscious self-regulation make a significant contribution to overcoming difficult life situations. Self-regulation is a predictor and mediator of health indicators and compliance with standard rehabilitation deadlines; it plays a system-forming resource role in restraining ineffective ways of cognitive-emotional regulation and coping strategies in the process of overcoming difficult life situations.