Dyadic Adjustment and Social Support in Patients With Spinal Cord Injuries

Abstract

Background Spinal cord injuries (SCI) can cause physical impairment and complications such as pain and bladder dysfunctions. Social support plays a key role in psychological adjustment, but there is evidence that its effect is mediated by other variables. The present study aimed at examining the correlations between social support, dyadic adjustment and quality of life. Methods Thirty-four patients with SCI (23 M, 11 F; Average age 56.12 ± 14.74) were administered questionnaires for the evaluation of dyadic adjustment (DAS), social support (MSPSS) and health-related quality of life (SF-36). Bivariate correlations (Spearman’s R) between the scales and subscales were calculated. Findings Dyadic adjustment was positively correlated with the social support received within the couple (rs = 0.67; p < .01) and with the mental health subscale of the SF-36 (rs = 0.51; p < .01). On the contrary, the latter was not correlated with social support. Discussion Our data suggest that the perception of social support is strictly related to the quality of the couple relationship, and that dyadic adjustment is related to mental health more strongly than social support itself.