Stress, self-perception and interpersonal style in patients with physical illnesses

This study aimed to investigate the role of self-perception, interpersonal style, and anger in the context of stress in patients with physical illnesses, including coronary artery disease, gastrointestinal disorders, dermatological disorders, and diabetes.

The study sample included patients with physical illnesses (n = 124) and healthy controls (n = 209). Symptoms of stress, self-perception, interpersonal style, and anger were evaluated using the Stress Symptoms Scale, Social Comparison Scale, Interpersonal Style Scale, and Multidimensional Anger Questionnaire, respectively. The role of self-perception, interpersonal style, and anger in stress experienced in the patients and controls was compared.

The patients had higher stress symptoms, perceived themselves more negatively, had more problematic interpersonal styles, and more intense anger than the controls. The higher stress symptoms in the patients and the lower symptoms in the controls was predicted by 4 common variables¾dissatisfaction with life, dissatisfaction with interpersonal relationships, negative self-perception, and aggressive expression of anger. Another predictive variable in the psychosomatic group was age, whereas in the control group gender and internalized anger were predictive variables.

As the physical illnesses had by those in the patient group are stress-related, inclusion of psychosocial interventions in treatment protocols, such as communication skills, and stress and anger management training, and interventions aimed at increasing a positive self-perception might improve their QoL.