Interpersonal Response to Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of depression and time since injury upon interpersonal response to spinal cord injury. In Experiment 1, 93 undergraduates listened to a scripted audiotape interview of an actor portraying a spinal-cord-injured individual who was either depressed or not depressed and had been injured for 1 or 4 years. In Experiment 2, 60 professional rehabilitation staff members listened to the same tapes. After listening to the depressed tape, students were dysphoric and rated the depressed actor as less attractive, competent, and desirable. Staff members reported more hostility and rated the depressed actor as less attractive. Staff members who regularly worked with victims of head injuries were more depressed after listening to the depressed tape than were staff members who cared for spinal cord injuries or other patient groups. Time since injury was not a significant factor in either students' or staff members' responses.