Comparing adjustment to an ostomy for three groups.
Three groups of persons with fecal ostomies (those with permanent ostomies as a result of disease (n = 13), those with temporary ostomies as a result of disease (n = 16), and those with temporary ostomies as a result of trauma (n = 18) were interviewed with various instruments to explore the psychosocial impact of an ostomy. The three groups did not differ significantly with respect to their scores on the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale, the Reintegration to Normal Living Index, or the Meaning in Life Scale. Those with a temporary ostomy as result of trauma had significantly higher Escape-Avoidance, Positive Reappraisal, Accepting Responsibility, and Planful Problem Solving subscores on the Ways of Coping instrument. The differences in coping scores may relate to adjustment to the violent act at the same time as the ostomy. These observations add to ostomy research because research about persons with temporary ostomies, especially those caused by a gunshot injury, is scarce.