Global meaning in people with spinal cord injury: Content and changes

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2016 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772314Y.0000000290 · Published: January 1, 2016

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Research Methodology & Design

Simple Explanation

After a spinal cord injury (SCI), individuals face significant disruptions in their lives, raising questions about how to find meaning again. This study explores the concept of 'global meaning,' which refers to the fundamental beliefs and goals that guide individuals in making sense of their lives, particularly in challenging situations. The research investigates both the components of global meaning for people with SCI and whether these components change after the injury. Understanding global meaning can help in the rehabilitation process by providing a sense of direction and continuity. The study found five key aspects of global meaning: core values, relationships, worldview, identity, and inner posture. While the content of global meaning generally remains stable after SCI, certain aspects become more prominent.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

16 people with SCI

Evidence Level

Level IV, Qualitative research (Grounded Theory)

Key Findings

1
The study identified five key aspects of global meaning in people with SCI: core values, relationships, worldview, identity, and inner posture.
2
Overall, the content of global meaning tends to remain relatively stable after SCI. However, specific aspects of global meaning may become more pronounced or foregrounded.
3
Inner posture, which involves acknowledging facts and choosing how to relate to them, becomes particularly prominent after SCI as individuals navigate significant life changes.

Research Summary

This study explores the content of global meaning in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and investigates whether global meaning changes after SCI. Global meaning refers to the fundamental beliefs and goals that guide people in giving meaning to their lives. The study involved in-depth interviews with 16 people with SCI, analyzed using grounded theory. The analysis identified five key aspects of global meaning: core values, relationships, worldview, identity, and inner posture. The research found that global meaning tends to remain relatively stable after SCI, with specific aspects becoming more prominent. These findings suggest that global meaning may serve as a source of direction and continuity during the rehabilitation process.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategies

Rehabilitation programs can be designed to address and support the five aspects of global meaning (core values, relationships, worldview, identity, and inner posture) to enhance the rehabilitation process.

Psychological Support

Psychological support can focus on helping individuals with SCI become more aware of their existing global meaning and leverage it as a source of strength and direction during their adaptation to SCI.

Future Research

Further research should explore the influence of global meaning on the process and outcome of rehabilitation to better understand how it can be utilized to improve outcomes for individuals with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The study relied on retrospective interviews, which may be subject to recall bias. Participants were interviewed after SCI, making it impossible to assess their global meaning before the injury.
2
The interviews were conducted between 6 and 24 months after SCI onset. Changes in global meaning may occur over a longer period, which this study did not capture.
3
The presence of a spouse or friend during some interviews could have influenced the respondents' answers, potentially limiting the depth of their responses.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury