ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) effects the emotional states and coping strategies of the patients and their families. The interesting point is the interaction between the emotional status and coping strategies. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the coping strategies and emotional states of the individuals with SCI and their caregivers and to compare the results of the groups. DESIGN: Cross-sectional SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation. POPULATION: Thirty one patients with traumatic SCI and 31 family caregivers admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation were evaluated. METHODS: The injury duration was ≤12 months. Coping strategies and emotional status of the participants were evaluated by Brief Ways of Coping Questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. ASIA impairment scale and Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) were used for the assessment of the lesion severity and functional status. RESULTS: The most common coping strategies were self confidence and optimistic strategies both in the patient and caregiver groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the coping strategies and emotional status of the groups (P>0.05). A positive correlation was found between helplessness strategy and age in patients with SCI. Coping strategies did not show correlation with FIM. Anxiety in caregivers correlated negatively with SCI duration (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: As a result, the coping strategies and emotional status in the SCI patients and family caregiver groups showed similarity. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: SCI patients and also their family caregivers must be evaluated in terms of coping strategies, anxiety and depression. The couples with maladaptive coping styles and emotional mood disorders might be supported with special interventions to help the adaptation to SCI and to improve the rehabilitation efficacy.
