THE IMPACT OF INTERPERSONAL SUPPORT ON PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY

Purpose: This prospective longitudinal study examined the relationship between interpersonal support and patient satisfaction with orthognat hic surgery. Patients and Methods: Fifty-five adult patients were asse ssed with two questionnaires measuring the level of general social sup port they perceived receiving from significant others during treatment , and the level of perceived support specifically for their decision t o undergo orthognathic surgery and the treatment results. Results: Ava ilability of support and satisfaction with support from specific membe rs of the patient's support group were found to be related to satisfac tion in the early postoperative period. Support of close friends for t he patient's decision to undergo surgery was found to be associated wi th satisfaction in the early postoperative months. Further, reactions of the patient's support group to his or her postoperative appearance was found to be highly related to satisfaction in both the early and l ate postoperative stages.