Community integration among adults with spinal cord injuries sustained as children or adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with community integration of adults who sustained spinal cord injuries as children or adolescents. Outcome measures included the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique and measures of independent living. Independent variables include demographic factors, level of injury, functional independence as measured by the Functional Independence Measure, and perceived health as measured by Short Form-12 physical and mental component scores. Data were analyzed by multiple regression analyses for each of the outcome measures. Two-hundred and sixteen adults (150 males and 66 females) were interviewed. Mean age at interview was 29 years (range 24 to 27 years) and mean age at injury was 14 years (range 0 to 18 years). Results showed that the five factors most strongly associated with community integration were education level, employment, income, functional independence, and health status. Factors that were not associated with community integration included sex, age at injury, duration, and level of injury.Preparing young people with spinal cord injury (SCI) to make the transition to full community participation as adults is one of the most challenging goals of pediatric rehabilitation. Determining how successfully these adults are achieving that goal is key to improving the care of future patients with pediatric-onset SCI.

Long-term outcomes of adults with pediatric-onset spinal cord injuries as a function of neurological impairment

“…This confirms findings in previous studies of adults with pediatric-onset SCI where the level of injury was related to employment and community participation. 30,31 Therefore, rehabilitation programs for children with SCI must help patients with more severe injuries find ways to overcome the barriers that are limiting their employment, mobility, independent living, and participation.…”

Social Support Pairs Predict Daily Functioning Following Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: An Exploratory Study

“…Social integration refers to the level of participation in, and maintenance of, a wide array of social relationships, including family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances [13,27]. Community integration refers to more formal ties within the wider community (e.g., church and recreational organisations) and is primarily concerned with status, roles, activities and independence [28]. Therefore, social integration centers on individual and group-level interactions while community integration focuses on community-level interactions [29].…”

Predicting community participation after spinal cord injury in Thailand

“…Impairments and activity limitations that identify aspects of functioning also predict the amount of participation (6)(7)(8). However, reports regarding the impact of secondary complications and sexual problems on participation in persons with SCI are rare (1).…”