Abstract

Background: Spinal cord injury is a devastating event that has not only physical but also social and psychological ramifications for the injured person and their families. Also there is frequent hospitalization, inability to return to pre-injury occupation and immobility. Spinal Cord Injury patients have different ways of coping which may have impact on their Community Integration, Participation and Autonomy. Present study was aimed to determine relationship between coping strategies of clients with SCI and their community reintegration, participation and autonomy. Knowledge regarding the coping strategies may direct the therapists to plan treatment accordingly which will be focused towards reintegration in society and enhance the participation and Autonomy.
Objective: To determine relationship between coping strategies, community reintegration and participation & autonomy.
Method: 60 SCI clients were recruited by convenient sampling via telephone and from out-patient clinic appointments. Coping strategies, community reintegration and participation and autonomy were evaluated by Spinal Cord Lesion-Coping Strategies Questionnaire (SCL-CSQ), Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) and Impact on Participation & Autonomy (IPA).
Results: The relationship was determined by the domains of SCL-CSQ, CIQ & IPA. Karl Pearson’s test was applied and showed significant positive correlation between SCLCSQ fighting spirit and CIQ home integration(r=.352**) (p=.006) was found. Also a significant positive correlation was found between SCLCSQ social reliance and IPA social life and relationship (r=.361**) (p=.005) and a significant negative correlation was found between CIQ social integration and IPA social life and relationships(r=.-321*) (p=.012).
Conclusion: It was concluded that there is a significant correlation between coping strategies, community reintegration and participation & autonomy and all of them have a significant impact on individuals with SCI and to improve their overall quality of life.

Key words: Coping strategies, participation, Autonomy, community re-integration, acceptance, social reliance, fighting spirit