Psychological adjustment following traumatic spinal cord injury: A study using the psychosocial adjustment to illness scale

Abstract

Using the psychological adjustment to illness scale (PAIS) psychosocial adjustment to traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in 52 patients were assessed. Females and paraplegics tended to show better adjustment than males and quadriplegics. Older individuals, those with a history of depression following SCI and those with a history of alcohol and drug abuse predating SCI tended to be less well adjusted. Further studies are required to confirm the utility of the PAIS in this patient population. © 1991 International Medical Society of Paraplegia.