Social support and depression following spinal cord injury.

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Examined the associations of different social relationships with depres-sive behavior among 182 persons with acquired spinal cord injuries. A cross-sectionaldesign was utilized to investigate possible differential effects across time since theonset of injury. Relationships which reassured the worth of die individual werepredictive of lower depression scores. To a lesser extent, relationships providin g a senseof social integration were also associated with lower depression scores. Results arediscussed as they pertain to adjustment following acquired disability and theoreticalmodels of social support. It is often assumed that persons who experience chronic medical conditions arepreoccupied with their situation and become depressed (Wright, 1983). Thisexpectation is particularly salient for persons who have acquired severe physicaldisabilities. Many people—including medical and social service profession-als—believe depression is a frequent and understandable reaction to acquiredphysical disability (CaplanSGans, 1981;MasonM Westbrook & Nordholm, 1986). Anecdotal models of adjustment follow-ing trauma and loss maintain that persons initially become depressed shortlyafter realizing their condition, and this depression alleviates over time asindividuals gradually adjust to the situation (Wortman & Silver, 1989). From thisperspective, depression is typically viewed as a predictable and time-limitedbehavioral phenomenon. Clinicians adhering to this view have encouraged the