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. 2015 Spring;21(2):156-65.
doi: 10.1310/sci2102-156. Epub 2015 Apr 12.

Effects of Adult Romantic Attachment and Social Support on Resilience and Depression in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries

Zane Dodd  1 , Simon Driver  2 , Ann Marie Warren  3 , Shelley Riggs  1 , Mike Clark  4
Affiliations

Effects of Adult Romantic Attachment and Social Support on Resilience and Depression in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries

Zane Dodd et al. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil. 2015 Spring.

Abstract

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause psychological consequences that negatively affect quality of life. It is increasingly recognized that factors such as resilience and social support may produce a buffering effect and are associated with improved health outcomes. However the influence of adult attachment style on an individual's ability to utilize social support after SCI has not been examined.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between adult romantic attachment perceived social support depression and resilience in individuals with SCI. In addition we evaluated potential mediating effects of social support and adult attachment on resilience and depression.

Methods: Participants included 106 adults with SCI undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. Individuals completed measures of adult attachment (avoidance and anxiety) social support resilience and depression. Path analysis was performed to assess for presence of mediation effects.

Results: When accounting for the smaller sample size support was found for the model (comparative fit index = .927; chi square = 7.86, P = .01; β = -0.25, standard error [SE] = -2.93, P < .05). The mediating effect of social support on the association between attachment avoidance and resilience was the only hypothesized mediating effect found to be significant (β = -0.25, SE = -2.93, P < .05).

Conclusions: Results suggest that individuals with SCI with higher levels of attachment avoidance have lower perceived social support which relates to lower perceived resilience. Assessing attachment patterns during inpatient rehabilitation may allow therapists to intervene to provide greater support.

Keywords: adult attachment; depression; inpatient rehabilitation; resilience; social support; spinal cord injury.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Path model of attachment avoidance and anxiety, social support, and resilience and depression. Anx = anxiety; Avoid = avoidance; Dep = depression; Res = resilience; SS = social support.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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