Personality traits, coping styles, and mood in patients awaiting lumbar-disc surgery

The objective of this study was to characterize personality traits, coping styles, and mood state in patients with lumbar-disc disorders. In two studi es (N = 112; N = 84) patients expecting lumbar-disc surgery were compared t o patients awaiting another kind of surgery. Personality traits and coping styles were assessed with a personality inventory (FPI-R) and a stress-copi ng questionnaire (SVF). Mood was measured several times before surgery usin g a multidimensional self-report inventory [BSKE (EWL)]. The same inventory was used by anesthetists to rate the patient's mood. Heart rate and blood pressure also were measured. The groups did not differ with regard to perso nality traits, coping styles, self-reported mood state, or somatic variable s. The physicians rated lumbar-disc patients as being in a better mood than control patients. Significant correlations between self-ratings and physic ian ratings were not observed. The results characterize lumbar-disc patient s as a subgroup that is not different from other surgery patients and, ther efore, does not need a specific form of psychological management prior to s urgery. The importance of using patients expecting another type of surgery as a control group rather than healthy individuals is clearly demonstrated. (C) 2000 John & Sons, Inc.