The impact of coping on emotional adjustment to spinal cord injury (SCI): review of the literature and application of a stress appraisal and coping formulation

Abstract

Objectives: This article reviews literature examining the psychological adjustment to Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and illustrates the applicability of a Stress Appraisal and Coping model (SAC) for rehabilitation of this population. Method: Articles concerning psychological adjustment to SCI from the previous three decades have been reviewed and critiqued. When possible the articles have been discussed in a SAC framework. Results: The literature indicates that psychological adjustment to SCI is largely predictable from psychological variables including coping, appraisal and psychosocial resources. Recent literature has suggested psychological intervention can promote positive psychological adjustment following SCI for those individuals at risk of developing clinical levels of depression. Conclusion:The SAC model provides a comprehensive formulation to incorporate the heterogeneity of populations with SCI. Suggestions for future research include developing assessment and treatment regimes speci®cally tailored to the strengths and weaknesses of an individual as highlighted in the model. Spinal Cord (2001) 39, 615 ± 627

Spinal cord injury, coping and psychological adjustment: a literature review

“…1,2,5,6,7,8,11 Such findings have informed clinical practice, and the use of Spinal cord injury, coping and psychological adjustment Z Chevalier et al cognitive-based interventions in improving psychological adjustment evaluated. In the study by Kennedy et al, 2 45 patients participated in a CET (coping effectiveness training) programme and compared with patients receiving the standard levels of care on measures of anxiety, depression, coping strategies and self-perception.…”

“…1 This is therefore an important area of study to better understand the process of adjustment and identify possible interventions through which it may be facilitated. This paper will examine the studies on coping and adjustment to SCI from 2001 to the present date, reflecting on issues highlighted in earlier review of the literature 7 and in new directions of research into factors affecting adjustment.…”

Associations between psychological factors and quality of life ratings in persons with spinal cord injury: a systematic review

“…[6][7][8] Additional search terms, such as 'psychological factor' , 'psychological variable' and 'personal characteristic' , were incorporated to broaden the search and to find psychological factors not described in previous reviews.…”

“…5 To date, three narrative reviews have surveyed psychological determinants of QOL in persons with SCI. [6][7][8] The first review in 1999 covered a wide array of social and psychological factors in persons with SCI, yet did not extensively address the relationships between psychological factors and QOL. 6 The second review in 2001 focused on appraisals and coping, but concluded that it remains to be determined 'to what extent other variables add to the prediction of emotional adjustment to SCI' (Galwin and Godfrey, 7 p 624).…”

Appraisals, coping and adjustment pre and post SCI rehabilitation: a 2-year follow-up study

“…1 Social support has been found to be related to psychological outcomes and adjustment after SCI, 9,10 has been identified as a predictor of early mortality 11 and is associated with low hopelessness and depression scores. 12 A review by Galvin and Godfrey 13 suggested that the way people think about or 'appraise' their injury and the coping strategies they use in response to these appraisals have a significant role in the process of adjustment. In this context we consider 'adjustment' to include both psychological wellbeing and social functioning.…”