The Role of Social Support, Life Meaningfulness, and Centrality of Religiosity in Posttraumatic Growth and Life Satisfaction of People with Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a type of chronic disease with physical and psychological effects on the individual's life. The disease can have a devastating effect on the life and well-being of patients with SCI. The current study aimed at investigating the role of social support, life meaningfulness, and centrality of religiosity in posttraumatic growth and life satisfaction of people with SCI. Methods: The current study was conducted on 157 subjects with SCI selected by convenience sampling method in the Welfare Organization of Khorramabad city, Iran in 2016. The subjects completed the centrality of religiosity scale, the posttraumatic growth inventory, satisfaction with life scale, the meaning in life questionnaire (short-form), and multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Data were analyzed with stepwise regression method (F test and t test). Results: The obtained results indicated that the most important predictor of posttraumatic growth was family support and the most important predictor of life satisfaction was friends support. In sum, all predictor variables explained 62% of posttraumatic growth and 38% of life satisfaction. Conclusions: The current study findings showed that social support, meaningfulness, and religious believes can help people with SCI to adapt with problems related to their illness.