title: Relationship quality and perceived social support in persons with spinal cord injury.
abstract: METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to examine the associations among the quality of couple relationship, perceived social support and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three persons with SCI were administered questionnaires for the evaluation of relationship quality (Dyadic Adjustment Scale), perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support) and HRQoL (Short Form 36).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many significant correlations between the scores of relationship quality and social support were detected. Relationship quality also correlated with relevant measures of HRQoL, such as Mental Health and Vitality. No correlation between spousal support and HRQoL was found, whereas friends' support correlated with Physical Role Functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data suggest that the perception of social support is strictly related to relationship quality and that marital satisfaction might be related to relevant aspects of HRQoL more likely than social support itself.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tramonti
authors.affiliation: Center for Spinal Cord Injuries, Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gerini
authors.affiliation: Center for Spinal Cord Injuries, Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stampacchia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult