The Level of Self-Esteem and Sexual Functioning in Women with Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Preliminary Study

Jacek Durmała, Irmina Blicharska, Agnieszka Drosdzol-Cop and Violetta Skrzypulec-Plinta
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Jacek Durmała: Chair and Department of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 12, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
Irmina Blicharska: Chair and Department of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 12, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
Agnieszka Drosdzol-Cop: Chair of Woman's Health, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 12, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
Violetta Skrzypulec-Plinta: Chair of Woman's Health, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 12, 40-752 Katowice, Poland

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 8, 1-10

Abstract: A person’s image, which is determined through physical appearance, considerably affects self-esteem developed from early childhood. Scoliosis causes multiple trunk deformations that can affect a person’s perception of the body. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of scoliosis dimension and the degree of trunk deformation on the level of self-esteem and sexual functioning in women with idiopathic scoliosis. Thirty-six women diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis were recruited to a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. The subjects were divided into two groups depending on the value of the Cobb angle. The level of self-esteem was determined by means of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), whereas the sexual functioning was assessed via the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The trunk deformations were specified with the Posterior Trunk Symmetry Index (POTSI). A statistically significant correlation was proved between the amount of points received in the Rosenberg scale evaluation and the POTSI index in Group A ( R = ?0.56, p = 0.04). Subjects with smaller deformations within the coronal plane had a higher level of self-confidence. The trunk asymmetries in the coronal plane may have a negative effect on women with scoliosis and their self-appraisal.

Keywords: sexual dysfunction; psychological test; posterior trunk symmetry index; female sexual function index (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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