Social relationships and psychosocial impairment of persons with spinal cord injury

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Abstract
This study examined predictions that the effects of social support on psychosocial impairment among persons with spinal cord injury would vary as a function of specific social relationships and chronicity. Results revealed positive and negative associations between certain types of support and psychosocial impairment. Reports of greater support reinforcing self-worth were less impaired regardless of time since the onset of disability. In contrast, social relationships in which a person was responsible for the well-being of another were associated with greater impairment. Several significant interactions between specific types of support and time since injury were observed. Findings are discussed as they expand current theoretical understanding of the beneficial and negative effects of social support on adjustment.