title: Post-traumatic growth following spinal cord injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Examine the relationship of post-traumatic psychological growth (PTG), depression, and personal and injury characteristics in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight hundred and twenty-four adults with SCI.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five items from the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory, reflecting positive change after injury in life priorities, closeness to others, new opportunities being available, stronger faith, and personal strength.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Initial structural equation model testing of a conceptual model of personal and injury characteristics, violent etiology, depression, and PTG resulted in a poor fit. Model modifications resulted in an improved fit, but explained only 5% of the variance in PTG. Being female, younger, having less formal education, and less time since injury had significant relationships with PTG, whereas depression, violent etiology, and injury level/severity did not. In each PTG domain, between 54 and 79% of the sample reported at least some positive change after injury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study, while promising, explained only a small portion of the variance in PTG. A majority of the sample experienced some positive change after injury, with the greatest change in discovering that they were stronger than they thought they were. Comparing means previously reported in a non-SCI sample of those who experienced trauma, positive change after injury was comparable for each PTG item except for new opportunities being available, which was significantly lower for those with SCI. Future directions of research include the development of theoretical models of PTG after SCI.
authors.forename: Claire Z
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Kalpakjian
authors.forename: Cheryl B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: McCullumsmith
authors.forename: Jesse R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Fann
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Brenda L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Stoelb
authors.forename: Allen W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Heinemann
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Bombardier
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Depression; Spinal cord injuries; Trauma