Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Spinal Cord Injury

  • Chapter
Handbook of Health and Rehabilitation Psychology

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Rehabilitation and Health ((SSRH))

Abstract

Spinal cord injury resulting in permanent paralysis and loss of sensation may appear to many individuals as one of the most devastating experiences imaginable. Emptying one’s bladder with a catheter, using a wheelchair, having difficulty entering one’s home and public buildings, being unable to participate in enjoyed activities, and disrupted sexual expression may seem to the outsider a life not worth living. Yet the experience of most persons who live with spinal cord injury (SCI) is quite different. Advances in acute care and rehabilitation practices have reduced morbidity and mortality dramatically over the past 10 years (Brown, 1992; DeVivo, Stover, & Black, 1992). People who sustain SCI do live independent and fulfilling lives. The process by which they deal with disability-related limitations and attain a meaningful quality of life is the focus of this chapter.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 349.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 449.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 449.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Anderson, P. (1980–1981). Alcoholism and the spinal cord disabled: A model program. Alcohol Health and Research World, 5, 37–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, T. P. (1982). Quality of life of the individual with a disability. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 63, 65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Antonak, R. F., & Livneh, H. (1991). A hierarchy of reactions to disability. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 14, 13–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barrera, M. (1986). Distinctions between social support concepts, measures and models. American Journal of Community Psychology, 14, 413–445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. (1967). Depression: Causes and treatment. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broadhead, W E., Kaplan, B. H., James, S. A., Wagner, E. H., Schoenbach, V. J., Grimson, R., Heyden, S., Tibblin, G., & Gehlbach, S. H. (1983). The epidemiologic evidence for a relationship between social support and health. American Journal of Epidemiology, 117, 521–537.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, D. J. (1992). Spinal cord injuries: The last decade and the next. Paraplegia, 30, 77–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Buckelew, S. P., Baumstark, K. E., Frank, R. G., & Hewett, J. E. (1990). Adjustment following spinal cord injury. Rehabilitation Psychology, 35, 101–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buckelew, S. P., Frank, R. G., Elliott, T. R., Chaney, M. A., & Hewett, J. (1991). Adjustment to spinal cord injury: Stage theory revisited. Paraplegia, 29, 125–130.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Buckelew, S. P., Hanson, S., & Frank, R. G. (1991). Psychological factors and adjustment to spinal cord injury. NeuroRehabilitation, 4, 36–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bulman, R., & Wortman, C. (1977). Attributions of blame and coping in the “real world”: Severe accident victims react to their lot. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 35, 351–363.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Charlifiie, S. W., & Gerhart, K. A. (1991). Behavioral and demographic predictors of suicide after traumatic spinal cord injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 72, 488–492.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cobb, S. (1976). Social support as a moderator of life stress. Psychosomatic Medicine, 38, 300–314.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coca, B. (1991, August). Coping social support and acceptance of disability among persons with SCI. Paper presented at the 99th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, S., & Wills, T. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 98, 310–357.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crewe, N. (1980). Quality of life: The ultimate goal in rehabilitation. Minerva Medica, 63, 586–589.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cushman, L. A., & Dijkers, M. P. (1990). Depressed mood in spinal cord injured patients: Staff perceptions and patient realities. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 71, 191–196.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dembo, T. (1969). Rehabilitation psychology and its immediate future: A problem of utilization of psychological knowledge. Rehabilitation Psychology (Psychological Aspects of Disability), 16, 63–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dembo, T., Blount, W., Schmeidler, J., & Burgos, W. (1985). Methodological and substantive issues involved in using the concept of risk in research into the etiology of drug use among adolescents. Journal of Drug Issues, 4, 537–553.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dembo, T., Leviton, G., & Wright, B. A. (1956). Adjustment to misfortune: A problem in social-psychological rehabilitation. Artificial Limbs, 3, 4–62.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DeVivo, M. J., & Richards, J. S. (1992). Community reintegration and quality of life following spinal cord injury. Paraplegia, 30, 108–112.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DeVivo, M. J., Stover, S. L., & Black, K. J. (1992). Prognostic factors for 12-year survival after spinal cord injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 73, 156–162.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dinardo, G. (1971). Psychological adjustment to spinal cord injury. Dissertation Abstracts International, 32, 4206B–4207B.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, M. (1975). Psychological intervention in a spinal cord injury center: An introduction. Rehabilitation Psychology, 22, 165–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, T. R., Herrick, S. M., Witty, T. E., Godshall, F., & Spruell, M. (1992). Social support and depression following spinal cord injury. Rehabilitation Psychology, 37, 37–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fink, S. (1967). Crisis and motivation: A theoretical model. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 48, 592–597.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flanagan, J. (1954). The critical incident technique. Psychological Bulletin, 51, 327–358.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frank, R. G., & Elliott, T. R. (1987). Life stress and psychologic adjustment following spinal cord injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 68, 344–347.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frank, R. G., Elliott, T. R., Corcoran, J. R., & Wonderlich, S. A. (1987). Depression after spinal cord injury: Is it necessary? Clinical Psychology Review, 7, 611–630.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frank, R. G., Umlauf, R. L., Wonderlich, S. A., Askanazi, G. S., Buckelew, S. P., & Elliott, T. R. (1987). Differences in coping styles among persons with spinal cord injury: A cluster-analytic approach. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 727–731.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • French, J. K., & Phillips, J. A. (1991). Shattered images: Recovery for the SCI client. Rehabilitation Nursing, 16, 134–136.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frisbie, J. H., & Tun, C. G. (1984). Drinking and spinal cord injury. Journal of the American Paraplegia Society, 7, 71–73.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fullerton, D. T., Harvey, R. F., Klein, M. H., & Howell, T. (1981). Psychiatric disorders in patients with spinal cord injuries. Archives of General Psychiatry, 38, 1369–1371.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Galbraith, S., Murray, W. R., Patel, A. R., & Knitt-Jones, R. (1976). The relationship between alcohol and head injury and its effects on the conscious level. British Journal of Surgery, 63, 128–130.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gale, J. L., Dikmen, S., Wyler, A., Temkin, N., & McClean, A. (1983). Head injury in the Pacific Northwest. Neurosurgery, 12, 487–491.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Günther, M. (1969). Emotional aspects. In D. Ruge (Ed.), Spinal cord injuries (pp. 93–108). Springfield, IL: Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammel, K.R.W. (1992). Psychological and sociological theories concerning adjustment to traumatic spinal cord injury: The implications for rehabilitation. Paraplegia, 30, 317–326.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heinemann, A. W., Bulka, M., & Smetak, S. (1988). Attributions and disability acceptance following traumatic injury: A replication and extension. Rehabilitation Psychology, 33, 195–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinemann, A. W., Doll, M., & Schnoll, S. (1989). Treatment of alcohol abuse in persons with recent spinal cord injuries. Alcohol Health and Research World, 13, 110–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinemann, A. W., Donohue, R., Keen, M., & Schnoll, S. (1988). Alcohol use by persons with recent spinal cord injuries. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 69, 619–624.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heinemann, A. W., Goranson, N., Ginsburg, K., & Schnoll, S. (1989a). Alcohol use and activity patterns following spinal cord injury. Rehabilitation Psychology, 34, 191–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinemann, A. W., Kiley, D., Schnoll, S., & Yarkony, G. (1989b, November). Effects of substance use on vocational outcome following spinal cord injury. Paper presented at American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, San Antonio, TX.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinemann, A. W., Schnoll, S., Brandt, M., Maltz, R., & Keen, M. (1988). Toxicology screening in acute spinal cord injury. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 12, 815–819.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heinemann, A. W., & Shontz, F. C. (1984). Adjustment following disability: Representative case studies. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 28, 3–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinemann, A. W., & Shontz, F. C. (1985). Methods of studying persons. The Counseling Psychologist, 13, 111–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heller, K., Swindle, R. W., & Dusenbury, L. (1986). Component social support processes: Comments and integration. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 466–470.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hohmann, G. (1975). Psychological aspects of treatment and rehabilitation of the spinal injured person. Clinical Orthopedics, 112, 81–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hollingshead, A., & Redlich, F. (1958). Social class and mental illness. New York: Wiley.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, D. C. (1985). Alcohol use by persons with disabilities. Madison: Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Judd, F. K., & Brown, D. J. (1992). Suicide following acute traumatic spinal cord injury. Paraplegia, 30, 173–177.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kalb, M. (1971). An examination of the relationship between hospital ward behaviors and post-discharge behaviors in spinal cord injury patients. Dissertation Abstracts International, 32, 3005B–3006B.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, G. (1955). A theory of personality: The psychology of personal constructs. New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerr, N. (1961). Understanding the process of adjustment in disability. Journal of Rehabilitation, 27, 16–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirubakaran, V. R., Kumar, V. N., Powell, B. J., Tyler, A. J., & Armatas, P. J. (1986). Survey of alcohol and drug misuse in spinal cord injured veterans. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 47, 223–227.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krause, J. S. (1990). The relationship between productivity and adjustment following spinal cord injury. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 33, 188–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krause, J. S. (1992). Employment after spinal cord injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 73, 163–169.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krause, J. S., & Crewe, N. M. (1991). Chronologic age, time since injury, and time of measurement: Effect on adjustment after spinal cord injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 72, 91–100.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krause, J. S., & Dawis, R. V. (1992). Prediction of life satisfaction after spinal cord injury. Rehabilitation Psychology, 37, 49–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kübler-Ross, E. (1969). On death and dying. New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal and coping. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewin, K. (1935). A dynamic theory of personality. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindowski, G. (1971). A scale to measure acceptance of disability. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 4, 236–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Livneh, H. (1986). A unified approach to existing models of adaptation to disability: Part II—Intervention strategies. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 17, 6–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowenthal, A., & Anderson, P. (1980–1981). Network development: Linking the disabled community to alcoholism and drug abuse programs. Alcohol Health and Research World, 5, 16–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mawson, A. R., Jacobs, K. W., Winchester, Y., & Biundo, J. J. (1988). Sensation-seeking and traumatic spinal cord injury: Case-control study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 69, 1039–1043.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • National Institute on Drug Abuse. (1988). National Household Survey on Drug Abuse: Main findings. Rockville, MD: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nielson, W. R., & MacDonald, M. R. (1988). Attributions of blame and coping following spinal cord injury: Is self-blame adaptive? Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 4, 163–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mueller, A., & Thompson, C. E. (1950). Personality problems of the spinal cord injured. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 4, 89–892.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Donnell, J. J., Cooper, J. E., Gessner, J. E., Shehan, I., & Ashley, J. (1981–1982). Alcohol, drugs and spinal cord injury. Alcohol Health and Research World, 6, 27–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parkes, C. (1972). Bereavement: Studies in grief in adult life. New York: International Universities Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen, G. A., & DeBoer, R. P. (1980). Alcohol and drug use among clients at a residential vocational rehabilitation facility. Alcohol Health and Research World, 5, 48–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rintala, D. H., Young, M. E., Hart, K. A., Clearman, R. R., & Fuhrer, M. J. (1992). Social support and the well-being of persons with spinal cord injury living in the community. Rehabilitation Psychology, 37, 155–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rohe, D. E., & Basford, J. R. (1990). Traumatic spinal cord injury, alcohol, and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Rehabilitation Psychology, 34, 25–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saltz, C. C., Eisenberg, M. G., Fillenbaum, G., & George, L K. (1991). Functional status and service use among community-based spinal cord injured male veterans. NeuroRehabilitation, 4, 25–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarason, B. R., Shearin, E. N., Pierce, G. R., & Sarason, I. G. (1987). Interrelations of social support measures: Theoretical and practical implications. Journal of Personality and Social Support, 52, 813–832.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulz, R., & Decker, S. (1985). Long-term adjustment to physical disability: The role of social support, perceived control and self-blame. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48, 1162–1172.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shontz, F. C. (1965). Reactions to crisis. Volta Review, 67, 364–370.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shontz, F. C. (1982). Adaptation to chronic illness and disability. In T. Millon, C. Green, & R. Meagher (Eds.), Handbook of clinical health psychology (pp. 153–172). New York: Plenum Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Siller, J. (1969). Psychological situation of the disabled with spinal cord injuries. Rehabilitation Literature, 30, 290–296.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silver, R., & Wortman, C. (1980). Coping with undesirable life events. In J. Garber & N. Seligman (Eds.), Human helplessness: Theory and applications (pp. 279–339). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, T. D. (1978). Coping behavior and the moratorium following spinal cord injury. Paraplegia, 15, 338–342.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stover, S. L., & Fine, P. R. (1986). Spinal cord injury: The facts and figures. Birmingham, AL: University of Alabama at Birmingham.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sweeney, T. T., & Foote, J. E. (1982). Treatment of drug and alcohol abuse in spinal cord injury veterans. International Journal of the Addictions, 17, 897–904.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trieschmann, R. B. (1988). Spinal cord injuries: Psychological, social, and vocational rehabilitation (2nd ed.). New York: Demos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trieschmann, R. B. (1992). Psychosocial research in spinal cord injury: The state of the art. Paraplegia, 30, 58–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wright, B. A. (1960). Physical disability: A psychological approach. New York: Harper & Row.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Wright, B. A. (1983). Physical disability: A psychosocial approach. New York: Harper & Row.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Yarkony, G., Roth, E., Heinemann, A. W., Lovell, L., & Wu, Y (1988). Functional skills after spinal cord injury rehabilitation: Three-year longitudinal follow-up. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 69, 111–114.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Medical School, and Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 60657, USA

    Allen W. Heinemann

Authors
  1. Allen W. Heinemann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Highland Drive Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15206, USA

    Anthony J. Goreczny

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1995 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Heinemann, A.W. (1995). Spinal Cord Injury. In: Goreczny, A.J. (eds) Handbook of Health and Rehabilitation Psychology. Springer Series in Rehabilitation and Health. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1028-8_18

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1028-8_18

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-1030-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-1028-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation