A two-year longitudinal study of social support following amputation.
OBJECTIVE
(1) To describe one aspect of social support, social integration, longitudinally for 2 years following lower limb amputation and (2) to explore the impact of social support on depression, pain interference, life satisfaction, mobility, and occupational functioning.


METHODS
Eighty-nine adults recruited from consecutive admissions to an orthopaedic surgery service completed telephone interviews 1, 6, 12 and 24 months following amputation surgery. Dependent variables included the Social Integration (SI) sub-scale of the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).


RESULTS
There was a high level of SI among most persons following lower limb amputations that was relatively unchanged in the 2 years following surgery. However, mean levels of SI were lower in this group compared to a sample without disabilities. MSPSS scores were highly variable, ranging from almost no support to the maximum amount of support. MSPSS was an important concurrent predictor of pain interference, life satisfaction, and mobility, controlling for demographic and amputation-related factors. Baseline MSPSS predicted mobility and occupational functioning 6 months post-amputation, controlling for demographic and amputation-related factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that interventions aimed at improving the quality of social relationships after amputation may facilitate participation in activities.
Williams
Rhonda M
RM
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, USA.
Ehde
Dawn M
DM
Smith
Douglas G
DG
Czerniecki
Joseph M
JM
Hoffman
Amy J
AJ
Robinson
Lawrence R
LR
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D011788:Quality of Life; D012494:Sampling Studies; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States; D034941:Upper Extremity