Socio-demographic and clinical features associated with demoralization in medically ill in-patients

In the present study we tried to identify which socio-demographic and clinical characteristics are associated with demoralization in medically ill in-patients.

Patients (n. 296), consecutively admitted to medical wards in a 120 day period, were evaluated with the Demoralization Scale of the Psychiatric Epidemiological Research Interview (PERI-D) to assess demoralization , with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to assess mental disorders (DSM-IV), with the Brief Disability Questionnaire for the evaluation of the functional disability, with the Duke Severity of Illness to assess severity of the medical illness. Moreover, the family support and threatening life events were also evaluated.

A significant effect in increasing the demoralization score was observed for presence of Major Depression or Adjustment Disorder, poor family support, severity of functional disability, number of threatening life events in the past year and female gender.

Major Depression needs to be recognized in demoralized medically ill in-patients, because it is one of the most important conditions associated with demoralization, which successfully responds to adequate treatment.