Social Integration Among Adults Aging With Spinal Cord Injury: The Role of Features in the Built and Natural Environment

A growing number of adults are aging with spinal cord injury (SCI) acquired earlier in life. Social integration is important for health and participation after SCI. However, little is known about the role of the community built environment for supporting social integration among adults aging with SCI. Using a structured telephone survey with 182 adults aging with SCI in the midwestern United States, we found that more community built environment facilitators (e.g., curb cuts, automatic doors, paved surfaces) and fewer barriers (e.g., gravel surfaces, crowds) significantly increased the odds of regularly engaging in both formal and informal social activities.

Automated summary

An increasing number of adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) acquired earlier in life are growing older. Social integration plays a crucial role in their health and participation after SCI. However, little is known about how the community built environment supports the social integration of adults aging with SCI. Through a structured telephone survey conducted with 182 adults aging with SCI in the midwestern United States, it was discovered that a greater number of community built environment facilitators (e.g., curb cuts, automatic doors, paved surfaces) and fewer barriers (e.g., gravel surfaces, crowds) significantly increased the likelihood of regularly engaging in both formal and informal social activities.