Psychosocial factors in Parkinson's disease

Self-report measures were administered to 136 patients with Parkinson's disease in order to explore the relationships between aspects of psychological adjustment (depression, positive affect and acceptance of illness) and physical illness (duration of the illness, stage of illness and functional disability). Many psychosocial variables which, it was hypothesized, might intervene in the relationship between physical and psychological status were also measured. These were coping style, social support, self-esteem, attributions about the onset and course of the illness, perceived control and previous psychiatric history. A variable pattern of relationships between the different indices of psychological adjustment and physical illness emerged. Self-esteem, coping style and practical support contributed significantly to the variance in psychological adjustment. It was concluded that well-being in Parkinsonian patients is not exclusively dependent on a simple relationship between disability and depression, and that other factors should be taken into account in the clinical management of the illness.