Associations between post-traumatic growth and wisdom in people with long-term paraplegia – the role of disability appraisals and participation

Abstract

Purpose

The number of people with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI) is growing but our knowledge about their successful functioning is still limited. The goal of this study was to investigate the correlations between posttraumatic growth (PTG) and wisdom in people with long-term paraplegia, exploring the mediating effect of disability appraisals, and participation/autonomy (P/A).

Methods

One-hundred and sixty-six persons with paraplegia completed a set of questionnaires, which included: The three-dimensional Wisdom Scale; The Post–traumatic Growth Inventory; Appraisals of Disability Primary and Secondary Scale; Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire. Mediation was tested using bootstrapping and a multiple mediation model with two mediators.

Results

Positive and significant correlations between PTG, disability appraisals (as determined resilience), P/A, and wisdom were found. PTG is associated with wisdom when disability appraisals and P/A are mediators. Higher PTG was related to higher determined resilience and smaller restrictions in participation, both of which were associated with higher wisdom.

Conclusions

The relationship between PTG and wisdom is complex and indirect in people with long-term paraplegia. The mediating variables of disability appraisals and P/A explained the variance in PTG, with P/A playing a more significant role. Findings suggest that long-term SCI may correlate with experiencing high levels of PTG and wisdom, and more positive disability appraisals.

Implications for rehabilitation

• PTG is associated with life wisdom in people with long-term SCI, with a significant contribution of disability appraisal and P/A.

• Therapists can increase these people’s awareness about the possibility of experiencing PTG and maintaining positive changes, despite long-term SCI.

• Therapists can support people with long-term SCI in maintaining or extending the possibilities of participation and autonomous decision-making about their daily activities, which in consequence may be important for increasing their life wisdom.

Keywords:

• Appraisal of disability
• participation
• posttraumatic growth
• spinal cord injury
• wisdom

Disclosure statement

The author declares no conflict of interest.