Assistive Technology and Prediction of Happiness in People With Post-Polio Syndrome
By Spiliotopoulou, Fowkes, Carly; Atwal, Anita; Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, Volume 7, Number 3, pages 199-204Publication Date: 2012
Study explored the relationship between level of happiness in people with post polio syndrome (PPS) and explanatory variables such as age, gender, household composition, and ownership or need of assistive devices and home adaptations. Existing data from 218 adults with PPS, who had completed a cross sectional survey conducted by the British Polio Fellowship in 2007, were used for a secondary quantitative analysis. Participants, 128 of whom were women, ranged in age from 18 to over 85 years, with the majority being between 60 and 74 years. The majority, or 59 percent, lived with a partner and most participants reported being both happy and sad or mostly happy. Most participants, or 87.5 percent, reported owning at least one assistive device, with 37.5 percent owning 5 or more. Over half of the participants owned at least one type of mobility, self care/domestic aid, or telecare equipment, while a home adaptation or major piece of equipment was owned by 46.8 percent. Two thirds of participants reported not being in need of any additional device. Ownership of AT did not predict happiness, whereas the perceived need for AT was a significant predictor of feeling less happy. Among the different types of AT needed, only the lack of home adaptations combined with major equipment was close to being significantly associated with less happiness. Being older and living with a partner significantly increased the likelihood of feeling happier. Implications of study results for health professionals and service providers are discussed.
Published by: Taylor & Francis, Limited (Website:http://taylorandfrancis.org)
International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.isprm.org )
