| Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a traumatic experience that results in pain, stress, and enormous life changes. Patients are left to adapt not only to their physical pain and loss, but also to the multiple emotional and psychological sequali that result from changed interpersonal relationships, decreased family role, and an inability to earn an income. In order to deal with such significant changes, people with SCI employ numerous strategies to cope. Spiritual coping is but one strategy that is often used in this population. Numerous studies have demonstrated the relevance of faith and spirituality in achieving better health outcomes and coping. Despite the growing evidence supporting the role of spirituality in rehabilitation, contemporary medicine has given little attention to the spiritual dimension of the human experience. The present study examined the impact of spirituality on quality of life in SCI patients who are one year post-injury or greater. Other variables such as injury characteristics, emotional status, medication use, religious practices, and demographic variables were also explored. Results from the present investigation will provide useful information about how people cope following spinal cord injury and ultimately improve quality of life in this population. |
