ADJUSTMENT FOLLOWING SPINAL-CORD INJURY

There is a growing awareness of the role of coping strategies in adjusting to catastrophic illness or injury. The current study investigates specific coping strategies associated with psychological adjustment following spinal cord injury. Fifty-seven persons participating in a spinal cord injury rehabilitation program were administered the SCL-90-R, Ways of Coping, and Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales. Subjects were divided into three groups based on the psychological distress measure. High distress subjects reported using more Wish-Fulfilling Fantasy, Emotional Expression, Self-Blame, and Threat Minimization Coping strategies relative to the other two groups. The Self-Blame Coping strategy was significantly correlated with psychological distress over and above age, time since injury, or level of injury. The role of coping strategies in adjustment following spinal cord injury is discussed.