Examining the Psychological Immune System Level in Patients with Immune System Disorders in Taiz Governorate in Light of Some Variables

Abstract

The research aimed at identifying the level of psychological immunity among individuals suffering from autoimmune diseases, and exploring the relative differences in psychological immune system based on variables such as gender, age, residence, education level, occupation, and marital status. The research sample consisted of 149 patients with autoimmune disorders, ranging in age from 20 to 50 years. They were selected using simple random and stratified sampling methods. The Psychological Immune System Scale, developed by the researcher, was administered to them. The scale demonstrated high consistency obtained by using the internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.92. In light of descriptive method procedures, the study found that there was a decrease in the level of psychological immune system and autoimmunity among patients with autoimmune system disorders. The decrease was in the overall score level of the scale as well as on the level of each dimension. Further, as the study showed, there were no statistically significant differences in immunity ascribed to variables of gender, age, residence, and marital status. However, there were statistically significant differences referred to educational level variable. In this, individuals with higher educational levels were observed with higher average than that of illiterates and those who possess high school certificates. For job variable, statistically significant differences were found in favour of workpeople/employees suffering from autoimmune diseases.