Examining factors that contribute to the process of resilience following spinal cord injury.

Abstract

Cross-sectional survey. To examine factors that contribute to the process of positive adjustment, or resilience, in an adult community sample with spinal cord injury (SCI). South Australian Spinal Cord Injury Service, Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, South Australia, Australia A postal survey comprising standardised measures of resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 item), self-efficacy (Moorong Self-Efficacy Scale), locus of control (Locus of Control of Behaviour Scale) and psychological distress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale--21 item). Of 60 respondents, 58% reported moderate to high levels of resilience. Resilience correlated significantly with high self-efficacy (r=0.68, P<0.01), internal locus of control (r=-0.52, P<0.01) and low psychological distress (depression r=-0.68, P<0.01; anxiety r=-0.55, P<0.01; stress r=-0.67, P<0.01). In comparison, resilience was not significantly influenced by degree of neuropathic pain (r=-0.23, P>0.05), time since injury (r=-0.14, P>0.05), gender (t(58)=-0.92, P>0.05), lesion completeness (t(57)=-0.86, P>0.05), or SCI diagnosis (t(58)=-1.21, P>0.05). A multiple regression indicated that psychological distress and self-efficacy were the only two variables that uniquely contributed to resilient behaviour. Resilience is an important psychological process in the longer-term management of SCI which can be promoted by targeting rehabilitation interventions towards mood management in addition to self efficacy beliefs. Larger-scale research will help to validate these results.