Important Coping Strategies Used by Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Although it is an accepted fact that using coping strategies have an important role in the coping process and quality of life following spinal cord injury (SCI), there is still little information about this issue in the world and especially in Iran. The purpose of this study was to explore important coping strategies used by Iranian patients with spinal cord injuries. Method: ۱۸ patients with SCI from The Brain and Spinal injury Repair Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and the Protection Center of the disabled with spinal cord injury were interviewed deeply. Data were collected through recorded interviews, and concurrently analyzed using the conventional content analysis method. Results: Data analysis showed seeking help from religious beliefs (understanding the disease as a divine fate and test, appeal to Imams, and increasing worship), to be an important coping strategy. Conclusion: Understanding strategies that influence the patients’ coping with the SCI will contribute to the nursing body of knowledge. It also helps nurses and other health-care professionals, and the patients’ families in reinforcing the most effective coping strategies and promoting the quality of care.

Keywords:

content analysis , Important coping strategy , qualitative research , Spinal cord injury