Basic beliefs and motivational preferences of people with severe somatic disease: current and retrospective assessment

The study is devoted to investigating the characteristics of the basic beliefs and motivational preferences of people with a life-threatening disease, depending on the level of post-traumatic stress (PTS) and patients' assessment of their condition - retrospective or up-to-date. In a sample of patients (n = 65) diagnosed with benign meningioma, the hypothesis was partially confirmed that the self-perception and motivation to selfknowledge changes in individuals with life-threatening disease, with positive changes at low post-traumatic stress levels, as opposed to high levels. The results of the study showed that patients with a high level of PTS equally assess the nature of their beliefs and motivational preferences, regardless of traumatic experience. Due to experiencing a serious disease, patients with low levels of PTS understand themselves better and accept the surrounding reality, including its negative aspects. Regardless of their current and retrospective assessments, they are self-confident and self-empowered, are not prone to excessive self-blame, but prefer to demonstrate the strength of the ego, which is not typical for people with a high level of PTS.