Psychological Factors and Adjustment to Spinal Cord Injury 1

There is a growing awareness of the importance of adjustment after spinal cord injury as lifetime expectancies after injury increase. There has also been an increase in the proportion of deaths after spinal cord injury that are attributable to behavioral and psychological factors such as self-neglect, suicide, and alcohol or drug abuse. This article outlines factors believed important in predicting adjustment after spinal cord injury, including stress, social support, and coping. Models focusing on coping techniques and cognitive appraisal are discussed as alternatives to the previously postulated stage theories for understanding adjustment after spinal cord injury.