Potential predictors of post traumatic stress disorder symptoms in spinal cord injury

Abstract

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), resulting from tearing or severing of the spinal cord, has far reaching consequences both psychologically and physiologically that are often catastrophic to the individual.  The individual, and his or her family, have to learn to adapt and adjust to circumstances that have changed drastically.  The initial traumatic event that caused the injury can result in the onset of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), adding a further complicating factor to the adjustment process.  The development of this disorder poses a significant problem for the SCI population, particularly in terms of rehabilitation, adjustment and long-term management of the injury.  The literature review explores the history of theories of psychological adjustment to SCI and the relationship between SCI and PTSD.

The literature review explores what makes some people with SCI more psychologically vulnerable to PTSD than others.  Knowledge of such vulnerability factors would help establish criteria by which to aid the identification of those at risk of developing PTSD and the development of treatment protocols.

The empirical paper investigates the presence of PTSD symptoms and potential predictors of PTSD within this population.  High levels of PTSD symptoms were found.  The study also found negative cognitive appraisals of self and neuroticism to be associated with the symptoms of PTSD for those with SCI.

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