Social support and adjustment after spinal cord injury: Influence of past peer-mentoring experiences and current live-in partner

Objective: To compare the impact of 2 types of social support, past peer-mentoring experience (PME) and current live-in partner (LIP), on adjustment after spinal cord injury (SCI). Participants: Sixty-two individuals with SCI (mean age = 42 years; 11.7 years since injury). Design: Cross-sectional survey. PME (yes vs. no) and LIP (yes vs. no) were nearly equally balanced, affording 2 X 2 factorial analyses. Outcome Measures: Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique, Brief Symptom Inventory, and Satisfaction With Life Scale. Results: PME, which typically concluded over 10 years ago, was associated with higher occupational activity and life satisfaction, whereas having an LIP was associated with greater mobility and economic self-sufficiency. Conclusion: PME positively complements more traditionally studied sources of social support, which is encouraging for the use of PME as a clinical intervention.