Alexithymia and sense of coherence in patients with total spinal cord transection.
OBJECTIVE
The study investigated the possibility that total spinal cord transection leading to tetraplegia would affect the ability to experience and identify emotions. It also examined whether the dispositional orientation of "sense of coherence" contributed to self-rated quality of life after spinal cord transection.


METHODS
Twenty patients with total spinal cord transection at the level of the sixth cervical vertebrae and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects completed measures of alexithymia, sense of coherence, and quality of life.


RESULTS
There were no differences between the two groups on alexithymia scores. However, spinal injury patients reported significantly decreased quality of life relative to matched healthy control subjects. A strong sense of coherence was associated with better self-reported quality of life. This relationship remained after controlling for current affective status.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that 1) loss of afferent feedback to the brain via the spinal cord does not have a significant effect on alexithymia scores, particularly factor 1 (difficulty in identifying feelings), and 2) sense of coherence may be an important factor in determining psychological adjustment after serious injury.
O'Carroll
Ronan E
RE
School of Psychology, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JU, United Kingdom. ronan@st-and.ac.uk
Ayling
Russel
R
O'Reilly
Samantha M
SM
North
Nigel T
NT
D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000209:etiology*; D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D001290:Attitude; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D003469:Culture; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D035502:Trust