Psychological response to acute spinal cord injury: an epidemiological study

This study empirically examines psychological reactions to spinal cord injury from a coping and adaptation perspective. Ego defensive, affective and coping reactions, and long-term personality reactions are described at the time of discharge from the acute care hospital (n = 190). These psychological reactions are examined for their association with neurological function on admission, at discharge, and changes in neurological status during hospitalisation. Affective reactions to injury were still evident in this sample and related positively to severity of motor and, to a lesser degree, sensory disability. Affective reactions were also generally associated with negative coping responses which could interfere with successful rehabilitation therapy. The study indicates that intensive psychological counselling is required by many patients during acute hospitalisation and prior to transfer for rehabilitation.