A pilot investigation of a psychosocial activity coursefor people with spinal cord injuries

Abstract

This study investigated the general benefits and impact that sports activity courses organized by Back-Up, a charitable trust, have on quality of life, mood, self-efficacy and perceived manageability. Participants were 35 community-based individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Questionnaires were completed at the start and end of the course. Fourteen participants also completed the follow-up questionnaire. Questionnaires included demographic questions, the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, a measure of Perceived Manageability, the Generalised Self-Efficacy Scale and four questions about what participants had gained. Results found that participants' satisfaction with leisure, generalized self-efficacy and motivation to engage in activities was significantly increased between the start and end of the courses and anxiety significantly reduced. Such results were in line with participants' responses relating to overall gains from the course. At both the start and end of the course, higher Perceived Manageability scores correlated with greater self-efficacy and higher Perceived Manageability scores and self-efficacy were correlated with lower depression and anxiety. The study provides evidence of the benefits of sports participation and teamwork for people with SCI, confirming the results of previous research.

Keywords:

• Activity courses
• mood
• perceived manageability
• self-efficacy
• spinal cord injuries
• sport

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all those who participated in this study, the Back-Up Trust for partial funding and the Back-Up staff team for their involvement in the administration of the questionnaires. The authors would also like to thank Beth Dickson for her help with data input.