Stress Coping Strategies and Social Support in Depressive Veterans with Spinal Cord Injury

Considering the role of internal resources, such as coping strategies, and external resources, such as social support, in the adaptation strategies employed by patients suffering from spinal cord injury (SCI), the present study was designed to examine the relation between coping strategies and the quality of social relationships with depression among veterans with SCI. Method 70 home-staying veterans with spinal cord injury were randomly selected as the subjects of the study. They were assessed through CS-R, QRI and BDI scules. The data were then analyzed through t-tests and Chi square. Findings The findings showed that veterans with lowest degrees of depression significantly used effective and focused coping strategies, such as resorting to religion, active coping, planning, seeking social support, and positive interpretation. Moreover, veterans with highest degrees of depression enjoyed less social support and reported to having more interpersonal problems as compared to those with lowest degrees of depression. In addition, employment and volunteer service at the front (an index of belief and focused internal control) proved to be much less related to depression. Results The results demonstrated the effective role of social support and special coping strategies in reducing depression, improving feelings, and enhancing tolerance for the complications and consequences of severe injuries such as SCI.