Psychosocial factors in urinary incontinence

Abstract

This article reviews psychosocial factors involved in the development and maintenance of urinary incontinence. Four aspects of this relationship are examined: the perception of and response to urinary incontinence; the development and/or exacerbation of incontinence symptoms; the psychosocial consequences for individuals, families, and caregivers; and the role of psychosocial factors in treatment. Areas for future research are identified and clinical implications of existing findings are presented.