Hope, coping and psychosocial adjustment after spinal cord injury

Spinal Cord Series and Cases, 2017 · DOI: 10.1038/scsandc.2017.46 · Published: September 21, 2017

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can profoundly disrupt an individual's life, leading to significant stress. Coping mechanisms play a crucial role in psychosocial adjustment following SCI. Research suggests that while many SCI patients achieve positive psychological outcomes, a significant minority experience depression, anxiety, and reduced quality of life. Hope is identified as an important factor in adjustment following SCI. High hope is associated with lower depression levels, greater acceptance of disability and increased life satisfaction.

Study Duration

Longitudinal

Participants

47 participants with newly acquired traumatic SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Higher hope levels correlated with better life satisfaction and self-reported adjustment.
2
Hope levels positively correlated with positive coping styles, including positive reappraisal, planning, acceptance, and fighting spirit.
3
Hope levels negatively correlated with negative coping strategies like behavioral disengagement and social reliance.

Research Summary

The study investigated the impact of hope on coping and psychosocial adjustment outcomes in individuals with SCI. It confirmed that higher hope is associated with better psychosocial adjustment. The research highlighted that individuals with higher hope scores had greater self-efficacy, life satisfaction, and self-rated adjustment, alongside lower levels of depression and perceived life problems. The study also found that higher hope levels were associated with more adaptive coping styles, such as planning, positive reframing, acceptance, and fighting spirit, and less reliance on negative coping mechanisms.

Practical Implications

Hope-Enhancing Interventions

Explore and implement hope-enhancing interventions in rehabilitation settings to improve adjustment outcomes for individuals with SCI.

Holistic Rehabilitation Approaches

Employ holistic approaches that integrate health, psychosocial, and environmental interventions to support hope and coping capacity.

Targeted Clinical Support

Provide targeted clinical support to help individuals re-establish meaningful goals and identify pathways to achieve them, fostering a sense of control and hope for the future.

Hope, coping and psychosocial adjustment after spinal cord injury

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Hope-Enhancing Interventions

Holistic Rehabilitation Approaches

Targeted Clinical Support

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Hope, coping and psychosocial adjustment after spinal cord injury

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Hope-Enhancing Interventions

Holistic Rehabilitation Approaches

Targeted Clinical Support

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?