Quality of life, social participation, appraisals and coping post spinal cord injury: a review of four community samples

Abstract

Study design: Cross-sectional or psychotherapy, questionnaire. Objectives: To examine the community needs of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) across four European countries and to identify areas of unmet needs. It is intended that this information will be of use to rehabilitation professionals in fostering greater social participation among SCI individuals. Setting: United Kingdom, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Methods: Self-report questionnaires were sent to 1000 people with SCI resident in the community in the UK, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Questionnaires measured current needs, community integration, mood, appraisals, coping strategies, functional independence and perceived manageability. Results: Occupation, sexual activity and pain relief were areas indicative of highest community needs in all four countries. Most participants were psychologically well adjusted and socially integrated into the community. Well-addressed needs were skin management, wheelchair needs and accommodation. Some differences that occurred in certain areas across the four countries were found. Conclusion: This study has highlighted that the main areas of unmet needs for a European community sample of people with SCI includes levels of occupation, sexual activity and pain relief. The findings will be of interest to those involved in rehabilitation of newly as well as longterm injured people and demonstrate the need to consistently readdress such issues as part of a person's long-term rehabilitation in order to achieve and maximise effective social participation.Spinal Cord (2006) 44, 95-105.

A multi-centre study of the community needs of people with spinal cord injuries: the first 18 months

“…It has been validated for use within the SCI population. 1 Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale: 15 a self-administered, 14-item scale to assess depression and anxiety state levels. It has widely been used within the SCI population.…”

“…Kennedy et al 1 recognize the fundamental goal of rehabilitation as being one of societal participation; however, the literature suggests that unaddressed needs in the community continue to impact on this aim. If community reintegration is considered to be the major aim of outpatient rehabilitation, the extent to which individuals with disabilities lack integration into important aspects of life can be considered to constitute a need.…”

“…9 Sexual function has also been recognized as an area that has not been sufficiently addressed 1 and most likely due to the sensitive nature of the subject.…”

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

“…30 The ALE questionnaire has previously been used in a SCI population. 31 Spinal Cord Lesion-Related Coping Strategies Questionnaire (SCL CSQr). This measure was developed specifically for use with individuals with SCI to explore coping processes and contains 12 items measuring three coping strategies: acceptance, fighting spirit and social reliance.…”

Parameters for positive outcome of the in-hospital rehabilitation of spinal cord lesion patients: the Boberg Quality Score

“…[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Studies researching the social reintegration mainly focus on occupational situation, living conditions and quality of life. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24] A multi-dimensionally measuring test device, internationally usable and applicable for inpatients as well as outpatients is thereby currently lacking. It is the main aim of this study to develop such a test device, the working name in the following paper is 'Boberg Quality Score' or BobScore.…”