Article

OBJECTIVE: To describe and explore functioning and health of persons with spinal
cord injury from the perspective of psychological-personal factors in the light
of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)
framework. METHODS: Data from 511 participants regarding feelings, thoughts and
beliefs, motives, and patterns of experience and behaviour were analysed.
Measurement instruments included the Mental Health Index-5, Positive and Negative
Affect Schedule, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Appraisal of Life Events
Scale, 5 items from the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale, Purpose
in Life Test-Short Form, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Big Five Inventory-21,
Social Skills Inventory-SF, Brief COPE. The distribution of the selected
psychological-personal factors-indicators was examined using descriptive
statistics. Differences between SCI subgroups by sex, age, age at injury, time
since injury, aetiology and severity of injury were explored using analysis of
variance (ANOVA) and F-tests. RESULTS: Participants who were older and sustained
their spinal cord injury more recently experienced more depressed mood, less
positive affect, less challenge appraisal, lower life satisfaction, lower purpose
in life, and lower self-efficacy. They reported lower social skills, less usage
of the coping strategies humour, positive reframing, and acceptance, and more
usage of the coping strategies denial and self-distraction. Overall, effect sizes
were small. DISCUSSION: Although study participants appeared to be well adjusted
to spinal cord injury, those who sustained their injury at an older age and more
recently reported more negative experiences. Quantitative description and
exploration of the psychological-personal aspects of health will enable
hypotheses to be formulated for further research, and suggest a need for tailored
interventions for those at risk of less favourable outcomes.

Langue : ANGLAIS