PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS OF ADOLESCENTS WITH SCOLIOSIS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY.

Objectives: Quantitative research methods have highlighted the psychological implications of spinal deformities in adolescence. However these methods are limited in exploring the adolescent’s perception of the illness and the expectations from treatment. Hence we carried out detailed qualitative interviews with these adolescents and where applicable with their families to examine these issues Design: Individual contact was made with the adolescents attending the spinal deformity clinic in a specialist centre in Cardiff. Following their consent an interview was carried out using a qualitative semistructured format Subjects: A total of 10 adolescents and their families attending the spinal clinic for treatment were interviewed Results All the adolescents and their families had sufficient information and fairly good understanding of their condition and of the treatments available. The impact the deformity had on the individual’s life was variable. Social impairment was higher in these individuals and this was reflected in their interaction with their peers. Most of the families desired an expected timetable of treatemnt and sequence of events. They also felt the lack of buddy or self help gropus. It also gave a better understanding into these teenagers perception of their condition and their attitude towards treatment Conclusions: These issues probably need to be understood while dealing with these individuals and their families and as health professionals we need to be sensitive to these issues.