Childhood onset of spinal cord injury: Self-esteem and self-perception

Author(s): Gorsuch, N., Marsh, N.

Journal/Book: Brit J Clin Psychol. 1995; 34: St Andrews House, 48, Princess Rd, East, Leicester, Leics, England LE1 7DR. British Psychological Soc. 581-588.

Abstract: The effects of spinal cord injury in childhood upon later psychological adjustment were investigated by comparing a group of 86 people injured as children with a control group (matched for time since injury and level of injury) of people injured as adults. It was hypothesized that adolescence is a crucial period in psychological development and that the effect of spinal cord injury on body image, self-concept and social relationships during adolescence will have a long-term negative effect on psychological well-being. However, on overall measures of depression, self-esteem and self-perception, there were no significant differences between the experimental and control groups. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between paraplegics and tetraplegics, between men and women, or between those who were involved in a significant intimate relationship and those who were not. These findings support previous research which has suggested that organic variables, such as age at injury and level of injury, are not predictive of long-term psychological adjustment.

Note: Article P Kennedy, Stoke Mandeville Hosp, Natl Spinal Injuries Ctr, Dept Clin Psychol, Mandeville Rd, Aylesbury HP21 8AL, Bucks, England

Keyword(s): CHILDREN

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