Article

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis among people with spinal cord injury (SCI) that
greater fulfillment of peer support needs to be associated with greater
participation and life satisfaction. A secondary objective was to identify
characteristics of people in great need of SCI peer support. METHOD: The
participants consisted of a population-based sample of 1549 adults with SCI. The
participants completed a survey with questions on peer support, participation,
life satisfaction and provided demographic and SCI-related information. A
secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data was conducted. A set of
regression analyses tested the primary purpose and a partition analysis was
conducted to examine the secondary objective. RESULTS: In regression analyses,
peer support need fulfillment was positively associated with autonomous-outdoors
participation (p < 0.05), health participation (p < 0.05), and work/education
participation (p < 0.05), as well as life satisfaction (p < 0.001) after
controlling demographic and SCI-related variables. However, peer support need
fulfillment was not related with overall participation or other subdomains of
participation: autonomy indoors, social relationships and family role. The number
of unmet SCI-related needs, injury characteristics and education were associated
with fulfillment of SCI peer support needs. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide some
evidence that SCI peer support plays an important role in promoting participation
and life satisfaction. Individuals with many SCI-related unmet needs are most
likely to report a need for peer support. Implications for Rehabilitation The
receipt of peer support after a spinal cord injury (SCI) is positively related to
aspects of social participation and life satisfaction. Provision of peer support
can play an important role in the SCI rehabilitation process. Education,
injury-related characteristics, and the number of other unmet needs are factors
that rehabilitation professionals can use to identify those in particular need of
peer support. Rehabilitation professionals should encourage patients who have
sustained an SCI, to participate in peer support programs.

Langue : ANGLAIS