PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT TO HOSPITALIZATION - FACTORIAL STRUCTURE, ANTECEDENTS, AND OUTCOME

Using various methods of observation, the psychological status of 211 patients of both sexes was assessed after the surgery or treatment jus tifying their hospitalization. Intercorrelations of scores on 40 varia bles obtained to describe the slate of the patients were submitted to a principal components analysis. The latter yielded a factor of maladj ustment to hospitalization associated with various psychosociological antecedents of the patients and a short-term unfavorable development o f their physical health. This dimension seems to correspond not just w ith personal characteristics but to involve the interaction of medical staff members and patients in a manner detrimental to patients' recov ery.