Problem solving and collaborative involvement among adolescents with spinal cord injury and their caregivers

Front. Rehabil. Sci., 2023 · DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2023.1100707 · Published: June 26, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Pediatrics Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Adolescents with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) face unique medical, physical, and psychological challenges alongside typical adolescent developmental tasks. Caregivers play a vital role in helping them navigate these challenges. This study investigates how caregiver problem-solving skills and collaborative involvement with adolescents impact the adolescents' own problem-solving abilities. The research found that when caregivers are good problem-solvers and involve adolescents in their SCI care, the adolescents tend to develop better problem-solving skills themselves.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

79 adolescent and primary caregiver dyads

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional study

Key Findings

1
More effective caregiver problem solving is associated with higher positive problem-solving orientation and higher rational problem-solving style among adolescents with SCI.
2
Adolescents' perceptions of greater collaboration with caregivers in their SCI care are significantly associated with higher positive and rational problem-solving skills.
3
Higher scores on caregiver total problem-solving were significantly correlated with higher scores on adolescent PPO and RPS subscale scores

Research Summary

This study examined the relationship between caregiver problem-solving skills, collaborative involvement in SCI care, and constructive problem-solving in adolescents with SCI. The results indicate that caregiver problem-solving abilities and collaborative involvement are significant predictors of positive problem-solving orientation and rational problem-solving style in adolescents with SCI. The findings underscore the importance of interventions aimed at fostering effective problem-solving skills among caregivers and implementing collaborative approaches to SCI care.

Practical Implications

Caregiver interventions

Pediatric rehabilitation programs could consider the development of programming to help foster and reinforce problem-solving skills among caregivers.

Applied learning context in SCI care

The utility of an applied learning context in SCI care, where problem-solving strategies are modeled, shared, and developed is suggested.

Support for parents

Bolstering support for parents in development of problem-solving skills and constructive collaboration with their adolescent with SCI could be beneficial.

Study Limitations

1
Cross-sectional design limits the ability to evidence causation.
2
Sample recruited from three sites within the same healthcare system, limiting generalizability.
3
Caregiver perceptions of their own problem-solving strategies did not relate to collaborative involvement perceived by their adolescents.

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