Adaptation to Spinal Cord Injury for Families Post-Injury

Abstract

Based on the Roy adaptation model, this cross-sectional study was conducted with 15 spinal cord injured individuals and their family members to examine the physical, emotional, functional, and social components of adaptation to spinal cord injury at 1 year (n=7 dyads) and 3 years (n=8 dyads) post-injury. Findings indicate that spinal cord injured individuals and their family members, regardless of time since the initial injury, have a moderate level of adaptation and adjustment to spinal cord injury. The data suggested that adaptation to spinal cord injury during the first 3 years can be enhanced by providing ongoing social and educational support for not only the injured individuals, but also their family members.