Lessons for spinal cord injury rehabilitation taken from adult developmental psychology: 2011 Essie Morgan Lecture

Threats to self, like those from spinal cord injury (SCI/D), can cause either mental health problems or psychological growth. How people deal with these threats depends on where they are in their adult development and their personality. Rehabilitation teams can use ideas from psychology to help people with SCI/D grow personally, work well, and stay healthy as they go through life. Understanding different stages of adult development, as described by thinkers like Erikson, Gutmann, and Baltes, can help professionals tailor treatments to what patients need most.

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  People with SCI/D may face challenges to their self-image and abilities, which can occur at the time of injury or later with complications.
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  An individual's interpretation of these threats is influenced by their current developmental needs, which can affect how they cope with their condition.
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  Interdisciplinary rehabilitation teams can use an integrated model of adult psychological development to help patients achieve personal growth, optimal functioning, and physical health as they navigate normal developmental challenges throughout their lifetimes.