Personality factors as predictors of compliance with and the outcome of supervised self-care program for patients with intermittent claudication

Abstract

Personality factors related to the outcome of supervised self-care treatment program were studied in 56 patients with intermittent claudication. Psychological methods used were: structured interviews, the Rorschach Test, the Thematic Apperception Test, Beck's Depression Inventory, the Beth Israel Hospital Inventory of alexithymic behavior and Sauri's Creativity Inventory of psychic flexibility and adaptability. The patients who had no apparent signs of psychic disorders and were also capable of coping with disease-related psychic problems showed the best recovery. Alexithymic patients with a low level of psychic adaptability were likely to find the supportive relationship rewarding, but optimal recovery was not achieved. The results indicated that paranoid tendencies may be obstacles to a satisfying doctor-patient relationship and should be controlled.