Relations between coping strategies and health-related quality of life in patients with spinal cord lesion.
OBJECTIVE
Although the use of appropriate coping strategies has been suggested to be a key factor in determining successful adjustment to severe physical illness/disability, little systematic support for this link has been found. We investigated relationships between spinal cord lesion-related coping strategies and health-related quality of life when studying for sociodemographic, disability-related and social support variables.


METHODS
We studied 256 persons with traumatically acquired spinal cord lesion (=1 year) from a typical rural/urban Swedish area in a cross-sectional design.


METHODS
Coping measure was the Spinal Cord Lesion-related Coping Strategies Questionnaire. Outcome measures were the Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Short-Form 36 Health Survey version 2.0, and a standardized global question of overall quality of life. Multiple regressions were performed.


RESULTS
Coping strategies were clear correlates of health-related quality of life when sociodemographic, disability-related and social support variables were studied. The relationship between coping strategies and quality of life was: the more revaluation of life values (Acceptance) and the fewer tendencies towards dependent behaviour (Social reliance) the better the health-related quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that greater focus needs to be directed to coping strategies and to ways of facilitating adaptive outcomes in rehabilitation.
Elfström
Magnus
M
Health Care Research Unit, Institute of Internal Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Bruna Stråket 30, SE-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden. magnus.lundgren.elfstrom@medicine.gu.se
Rydén
Anna
A
Kreuter
Margareta
M
Taft
Charles
C
Sullivan
Marianne
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires