Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Physical Therapy

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

First Advisor

Heather Barnhart

Date of original Performance / Presentation

January 2025

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1-1-2025

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine how individuals living with chronic wounds perceive their psychological stress, measured through the Perceived Stress Scale, and how they express their sense of locus of control, as measured by the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales. Methods: Participants with chronic wounds recruited from 8 outpatient wound clinics in 5 states completed an anonymous survey, which included demographic information, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales. Results: Fifty-five valid surveys were completed, with demographic information similar to a typical wound clinic population. Participants with chronic wounds experienced stress similarly regardless of etiology, and similar to population norms. Locus of Control profiles did differ by etiology and were not similar to the general population or those with other chronic medical conditions. Those with neuropathic ulcers had a much higher Internal Locus of Control than those with a venous ulcer (p=0.041). Stress level was inversely correlated with Doctor Locus of Control (rs=-0.418, p=0.001). Internal Locus of Control was positively correlated with Chance (rs=0.325, p=0.016) and Powerful Others (rs=0.308, p=0.022) Locus of Control. Agreement between a person’s perception of their wound healing status and their provider’s perception of healing status was correlated with Internal (rs=-0.276, p<0.05), Powerful Others (rs=-0.397, p<0.01), and Other People (rs=-0.317, p<0.05) Locus of Control. A higher Doctor Locus of Control was not correlated with higher agreement in opinion (rs=-0.249, p>0.05). Those with a higher Powerful Others Locus of Control had a better self-perception of wound healing (rs=-0.338, p=0.012) Age was associated with a higher Doctor Locus of Control (rs=0.276, p<0.05). Those with less than a maximum Doctor Locus of Control score were more likely to have a non-healing wound (p=0.036, 2-tailed). Acute and chronic stress were positively correlated with each other (r=0.509, p<0.01) and pain was positively correlated with stress (rs=0.445, p=0.001). Conclusions: This study describes how patients with chronic wounds perceive stress, and for the first time, how they present with Locus of Control. Clinicians can use this information to shape educational interventions and increase awareness of the potential effects of stress on wound healing.

Disciplines

Physical Therapy

Keywords

Chronic Wounds; Locus of Control; Stress; Wound Care

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