Facilitators to alleviate loneliness and social isolation as identified by individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders: A qualitative study.

Publisher: Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0365337 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1939-1544 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00905550 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Rehabil Psychol Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: Washington, DC : American Psychological Association, Division of Rehabilitation Psychology
Original Publication: Tempe, Az : Rehabilitation Psychology

Loneliness*/psychology ; Spinal Cord Injuries*/psychology ; Spinal Cord Injuries*/rehabilitation ; Spinal Cord Injuries*/complications ; Social Isolation*/psychology ; Qualitative Research*; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Veterans/psychology

Purpose/objective: Individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) are at increased risk for experiencing loneliness and social isolation. The aim is to describe facilitators identified by individuals living with SCI/D to alleviate loneliness and perceived social isolation.
Research Method/design: Descriptive qualitative design using in-depth interviews with veterans with SCI/D ( n = 23). Descriptive statistics was used to calculate demographic and injury characteristics. Audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim transcripts were coded and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's (2006) six thematic analysis phases.
Results: Participants were male (70%), white (78%), and not currently married (35%), with an average age of 66 years (42-88). Participants had paraplegia (61%), with traumatic etiology (65%) and were injured 14 years (1-45) on average. Eight themes were identified by participants living with SCI/D that described facilitators to alleviate loneliness and perceived social isolation. (a) Engage in/pursue interests; (b) Interact with/spend time with others; (c) Embrace acceptance; (d) Take part in reciprocity; (e) Find a purpose/accomplish goals; (f) Get out of residence, get outside; (g) Connect with SCI/D community/SCI/D peers; and (h) Seek help from (mental) healthcare professionals.
Conclusions/implications: Individuals with SCI/D identified facilitators to alleviate loneliness that encompasses changes in ways of thinking, actions to expand participation in life, and efforts focused on involving others. Findings can be used to guide healthcare delivery and develop interventions to target feelings of loneliness and social isolation in persons with SCI/D, which may be particularly impactful if they involve reciprocal interactions with peers with SCI/D. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

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I21 HX001414 United States HX HSRD VA; US Department of Veterans Affairs; Health Services Research & Development; Craig H. Neilsen Foundation

Date Created: 20240125 Date Completed: 20240725 Latest Revision: 20240727

20240727

PMC11269529

10.1037/rep0000540

38271018