Modeling social reintegration in persons with spinal cord injury

Purpose: This study was undertaken to identify and develop a model of the factors related to social reintegration in persons spinal cord injury (SCI). Method: A convenience sample of 145 persons with SCI living in two cities in South Korea anonymously completed a questionnaire that comprised the assessment of social reintegration, a tool developed to measure the degree of adjustment to community living in persons with SCI. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the direct and indirect effects of self-esteem, social barriers, physical function, family support, informational support, perceived stress, emotion-focused coping (EFC), and problem-focused coping (PFC) on social reintegration. Results: The model explained 65% of the variance in social reintegration in persons with SCI. The results indicated that the social reintegration of persons with SCI was influenced most by EFC. Family support, informational support, perceived stress and social barriers were also significantly related to social reintegration. Conclusions: These findings suggest implications for developing the interventions at various levels including family and community and specific to individual coping strategies to enhance social reintegration in persons with SCI.