ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH SPINA BIFIDA: PSYCHO-PATHOLOGICAL RISKS AND QUALITY OF LIFE

We analized the quality of life as perceived by adolescents and young adults with Spina Bifida not only in relation to their physical skills but also to their psychosocial health and well-being. The starting hypothesis is that greater physical disability and the presence of psychopathology are associated to a lower quality of life. It results that adolescents with fewer physical problems have a worse emotional self-concept than adolescents with severe disability.This trend does not make it possible to predict the evolution of psychic disturbance and suggests that, for the treatment and for a good quality of life, it is important to consider each patient’s personal history and life setting in terms of culture, education and family history, with particular attention to how the condition is perceived