Coping with Spinal Cord Injury

Coping with spinal cord injury is one of the most difficult things that one can do.
Coping can be defined as the process of adopting cognitive and behavioral changes to adapt to life after a life-changing event. Spinal cord injury changes one’s life, and
one needs to adjust to the new situation (Kennedy, Kilvert, & Hasson, 2016). When one gets
a spinal cord injury, every aspect of their life changes. The initial phase of adjustment is
usually hard, but with time one learns how to effectively use various strategies to cope. The
first step towards coping is cognitive appraisal (Kennedy, Kilvert, & Hasson, 2016).
Cognitive appraisal is the method that one uses to determine whether a stressful event
threatens their well-being. If one’s well-being is threatened, then they have to adopt various
coping strategies. The nature of the stressful event defines the coping strategy (Kennedy,
Kilvert, & Hasson, 2016). A spinal cord injury is a challenging and threatening event when
they occur. Individuals who are more distressed are likely to use coping strategies such as
self-blame and emotional expression.
One biological factor that affects the process of coping is one’s age. Different age
groups have different coping mechanisms. Spinal injuries can occur at any point in one’s
life. Coping is multidimensional in nature and is affected by various factors. Studies have
classified coping strategies in behavioral and functional terms (Smith et al., 2013). In
behavioral terms, coping can either be categorized as approach or avoidant. In functional
terms, coping can either be adaptive or maladaptive (Smith et al., 2013). Patients can either
use escape oriented coping or control-oriented. Cognitive restructuring and resignation have
been seen to be the most effective strategies that adolescents use to deal with spinal cord
injury. On the other hand, blaming others and self-criticism are seen to be the least used
strategies. When supporting adolescents to deal with spinal injury, social support, and
emotional regulation are the most effective strategies (Smith et al., 2013). Self-blame and

wishful thinking are the least effective strategies when supporting adolescents with spinal
cord injury.
Spinal cord injuries affect one’s body and functioning in general. However, despite
the life-affecting nature of spinal cord injuries, many people are able to become resilient and
psychologically to adapt. However, approximately 25 to 30 percent of individuals with spinal
cord injuries report high levels of depression (Kennedy, Kilvert, & Hasson, 2016).
Psychological risks, such as increased hospitalizations, can also be a consequence of spinal
cord injuries. It is, therefore, important to analyze the psychological impacts of spinal cord
injuries in order to come up with viable recommendations (Kennedy, Kilvert, & Hasson,
2016). Psychological factors, such as stress, may contribute to premature mortality. In
designing the biopsychosocial model to design individuals coping options, it is important to
ensure that age is put into consideration. In addition, it is important to consider social factors
such as the relationship between the patient and the caregivers (Kennedy, Kilvert, & Hasson,
2016). Psychological factors, such as stress and depression, need to be evaluated. One needs
support from close family members in order to effectively cope with spinal cord injuries. It is
also important to effectively treat depression and stress that may arise from the life-changing
condition.

References

Kennedy, P., Kilvert, A., & Hasson, L. (2016). A 21-year longitudinal analysis of impact,
coping, and appraisals following spinal cord injury. Rehabilitation psychology, 61(1),
92.
Smith, T. F., Russell, H. F., Kelly, E. H., Mulcahey, M. J., Betz, R. R., & Vogel, L. C.
(2013). Examination and measurement of coping among adolescents with spinal cord
injury. Spinal Cord, 51(9), 710–714.