Personal Belief in a Just World and Self – Compassion as Predictors of Body Appreciation in Individuals with Amputation Using and not Using Prosthesis

Abstract

Objectives:  To investigate the relationship of personal belief in just world self – compassion with body appreciation in individuals with amputation who use prosthesis and in those who do not use prosthesis.

Methods:  A sample of 78 individuals using prosthesis and not using prosthesis (n = 39 each) was selected. Cross – sectional research design was used. Urdu translated version of Personal Belief in Just World Scale (PBJW), Self – Compassion Scale and Body Appreciation Scale were used. Moderated regression analysis was used to assess if personal belief in just world and self – compassion predict body appreciation similarly or differently in the two groups using SPSS 20.

Results:  Among individuals with amputation using prosthesis were 30 (76.9%) men and 9(23.1%) women while among 39 individuals not using prosthesis were 30 (76.9%) men and 9 (23.1%) women. Age of individuals with amputation using and not using prosthesis was, M = 37.10, SD = 14.30 and M = 39.13, SD = 14.14 respectively. Duration of amputation of those using and not using prosthesis in years was M = 6.10, SD = 7.74 and M = 8.35, SD = 11.82 respectively. Duration of use of prosthesis in years was M = 3.29, SD = 3.86. Personal belief in just world positively predicted body appreciation in both groups. Self – compassion predicted body appreciation only in individuals with amputation using prosthesis. Individuals using prosthesis had better body appreciation than those not using prosthesis.

Conclusion:  Use of prosthesis helps in body appreciation of individuals with amputation. Over and above the use of prosthesis, personal belief in a just world is a personal resource that plays its role in maintaining body appreciation. However, Self – compassion aids in body appreciation among individuals with amputation using prosthesis.