Abstract
This study examined the effects of problem-solving appraisal on psychological adjustment following spinal cord injury. It was predicted that self-appraised effective problem-solvers would evidence less depressive behavior and psychosocial impairment and would be more assertive than self-appraised ineffective problem-solvers regardless of time since the onset of injury. Participants included 90 persons receiving either in-patient or out-patient services for spinal cord injury at one of three rehabilitation facilities. Results indicated that problem-solving appraisal was significantly predictive of all three dependent measures, confirming the hypotheses. The findings are discussed as they pertain to theoretical implications for current models of problem-solving appraisal, and in relation to applications of problem-solving in rehabilitation.
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Gratitude is expressed to Erlyne Mangum, Kevin West, Paul Caulkins, and Anne Patti for their assistance in collecting and scoring protocols, and also to Jim Hoffman, Ph.D., and Bruce Coplin, M.D., for their cooperation in the recruitment of participants. This research was supported in part by a grant to the first author from the American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Psychologists and Social Workers.
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Elliott, T.R., Godshall, F.J., Herrick, S.M. et al. Problem-solving appraisal and psychological adjustment following spinal cord injury. Cogn Ther Res 15, 387–398 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01173033
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01173033