Social support and health status in spinal cord injury

Abstract

In a mailed survey, 125 persons with spinal cord injury responded to questions on the SCI Quality of Life Index (QOLI) , and the Reciprocal Social Support Scale. The results indicated that people with SCI who believe that they receive support from the community, compared to those who believed they received less support (1) perceived themselves to be better adjusted to their injury, and (2) had significantly fewer health problems (fewer spinal cysts, lower blood pres sure, shorter recovery time from decubitus ulcers, less pain below the level of injury, and fewer hospital admissions). The results also showed that people who believe that they contribute to the community in some way, compared to those who believed they contributed little or nothing (1) perceived themselves to be better adjusted to their injury, and (2) had significantly fewer health problems (fewer urinary tract infections, fewer decubitus ulcers, less severe decubiti, less pain above the level of injury, and fewer hospital admissions). A community support score, a summary score of support given and received, was also related to adjustment and health.

Quality of life after spinal cord injury: a meta-synthesis of qualitative findings

“…[134][135][136][137] However, the need to give as well as receive support -to participate in webs of reciprocityis less commonly acknowledged or researched, yet this dimension of social networks is clearly of importance to people with SCI, and is associated with lower levels of depression, higher self-esteem and fewer health problems. [138][139][140] Lucke 85 noted that people with SCI defined the 'major work' of the rehabilitation process as 'getting back together', or reintegrating the self. This synthesis identified the importance of rethinking one's biography following injury in terms of priorities and values, and of achieving a sense of continuity between past and present lives and selves 91 (through visualizing a productive and purposeful future 12,91 and enhancing important relationships 91 ).…”

Evaluation of post traumatic distress in the first 6 months following SCI

“…It is therefore likely that some family members su er post traumatic reactions following the injury. Literature suggests that high levels of social support are associated with better adjustment to injury in persons with a SCI 34,35 and social support is also hypothesised to attenuate post traumatic reactions. 33 An adverse psychological reaction in close family members could therefore be expected to have negative consequences for the patient's adjustment.…”

The psychological effects of spinal cord injury: a review

“…The same results were also found in those patients who believe that they contributed to the community in which they lived compared to those who believe they contributed little or nothing. 79 Social support is clearly an important mechanism through which individuals are helped to adjust to spinal cord injury.…”