| Citation: |
Krause, J.S., & Edles, P.A. (2014). Injury perceptions, hope for recovery, and psychological status after spinal cord injury.
Rehabilitation Psychology, 59
(2),
176-182.
|
| Title: |
Injury perceptions, hope for recovery, and psychological status after spinal cord injury |
| Authors: |
Krause, J.S., & Edles, P.A. |
| Year: |
2014 |
|
Journal/Publication:
|
Rehabilitation Psychology |
| Publisher: |
American Psychological Association |
| DOI: |
https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035778
|
| Full text: |
http://proxy.library.vcu.edu/login?url=http://psycnet.apa.org/journ...
|
| Peer-reviewed? |
Yes
|
| NIDILRR-funded? |
Yes
|
|
Research design:
|
Survey research
|
| Background: |
: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a very debilitating injury with many far reaching consequences. Many efforts in the medical field have been made towards enhancing the function of individuals with SCI and to minimize the impact of paralysis. It is not known how much these efforts can provide hope for individuals with SCI to someday recover. Leventhal’s self-regulatory model discusses areas that persons with injuries or disabilities appraise: (1) time line-how long does the person believe the illness will last, (2) consequences-expected outcomes of the illness or injury, (3) cure control-the extent to which the illness can be cured or controlled. |
|
Purpose:
|
The purpose of this paper was to describe the perceptions of newly injured SCI patients according to Leventhal’s model along with describing hope for recovery. The relationship of these perceptions to psychological status (life satisfaction, purpose in life, depressive symptoms) during inpatient recovery was then examined. |
|
Study sample: |
All participants met the following inclusion criteria: (1) traumatic SCI, (2) currently hospitalized in inpatient rehabilitation, (3) at least 18 years old. Most of the sample was male (84.5%) and Caucasian (68.8%). The sample averaged 36 years old. Ambulatory participants made up 13.9% of the study sample. |
|
Data collection and analysis:
|
Data was obtained through use of the Illness Perception Questionnaire, the Purpose in Life (PIL) scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the 9 item version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Multiple linear regression analysis was done to identify psychological status based on SCI perception. |
|
Findings:
|
SCI perceptions varied widely among the participants but nearly all participants had some hope for recovery. More favorable SCI perceptions were predictive of a greater sense of purpose in life. Having hope for recovery was a predictor of life satisfaction. |
|
Conclusions:
|
It should be near obvious that positive perceptions after SCI are related to more positive psychological outcomes and views on life. Though the relationship was limited in this study it is important none the less to devote resources to keeping the perceptions and thus the outlook on life of SCI patients positive. |
