Obstacles to community participation among youth with spinal cord injury

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2011 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772311Y.0000000037 · Published: January 1, 2011

Spinal Cord Injury Pediatrics Public Health

Simple Explanation

This study looks at what keeps kids with spinal cord injuries (SCI) from participating in community activities. Caregivers reported obstacles related to community, disability, practical matters, the child's feelings, and social issues. Youth from small towns, those injured at a young age, those with incomplete injuries, and those with recent medical complications may need more support to participate fully. Doctors should work with families to find solutions. The study found that certain things, like living in a rural area or having a parent with a college education, were linked to facing more obstacles. This information can help target interventions to those who need them most.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

201 primary caregivers of youth with SCI ages 7–17 years

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Youth participation was limited by obstacles across six domains: community, disability-related, practical concerns, child-internal, social, and other.
2
Caregiver college experience and small town living predicted overall report of obstacles.
3
Having a child with an incomplete injury and recent medical complication predicted disability-related obstacles.

Research Summary

This research explored obstacles to participation for youth with SCI, and investigated the relationship between these obstacles and child, caregiver, and community characteristics. Analyses revealed that obstacles limit participation for the majority of youth with SCI, and are related to child, caregiver, and community characteristics. Clinicians should work with youth and families to identify and address these obstacles, in order to increase participation in school and community activities.

Practical Implications

Targeted Support

Clinicians should prioritize support for higher-risk families, such as those in rural areas, with younger injured children, incomplete injuries, or recent medical complications.

Address Caregiver Perceptions

Clinicians need to understand caregivers' perceptions of participation obstacles and help them critically analyze these issues to identify both internal and external factors.

Advocate for Solutions

Clinicians can aid families in identifying and advocating for solutions to the obstacles their children face, promoting their participation in school and community activities.

Study Limitations

1
Participants were recruited from a single-hospital system, and thus may not be representative of the general pediatric SCI population.
2
Analyses revealed a few significant differences between the participants who were included in analyses and those who were not; thus, the group reporting barriers may not accurately reflect the entire study sample.
3
Future research should further investigate how these obstacles can best be classified.

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