Psychological Problems of Patients with Combined and Multiple Physical Injuries as a Result of Illegal Actions

The article deals with the connection between circumstances of receiving combined and multiple physical injuries, and patients’ psychological (mostly emotional) problems and level of aggressiveness. We assumed that victims of violence have higher level of depression, anxiety (both situational and personal), and aggressiveness. Also, we hypothesized that they are linked to the attribution of guilt for the injury. An empirical study to test these hypotheses was hosted by the Department of combined and multiple injuries, N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Emergency Care. The study involved men injured as a result of illegal actions (N = 20, mean age 38.4 years), and men injured by inadvertency (N =20, mean age 36.1 years). To assess the emotional indicators, we used Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger – Hanin State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. We also used discussion method and analysis of medical records. The diagnostics was made on an individual basis. The study identified specific characteristics of psychological reactions to what had happened depending on injury circumstances. We show the relationship between attribution of guilt and features of experience the traumatic events. In particular, patients injured because of violence, show lower levels of aggression. Victims of violence who blamed themselves are significantly more aggressive than those who accuse others, they also show higher intensity of depressive feelings.

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