Identity development among veterans with spinal cord injury: A qualitative study.

IF 1.9 4区医学 Q3 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Rehabilitation Psychology Pub Date : 2025-02-13 DOI:10.1037/rep0000603

Lauren L Mitchell, Erica Johnsen-Buss

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose/objective: The purpose of the present study was to identify perceived effects of spinal cord injury (SCI) on identity development and processes of reestablishing an integrated identity after SCI in a veteran sample.

Research method/design: Semistructured interviews with N = 21 veterans explored perceived effects of SCI on identity, including future orientation, meaning and purpose in life, engagement in key life roles including family, friendships, and work and engagement with other individuals with disabilities. Participants also completed survey measures of depressive symptoms and self-concept clarity. Mental health history data were extracted from electronic health records. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Participants frequently discussed identity-relevant changes in career roles, disrupted social roles, and changes in their sense of independence. However, most participants also emphasized aspects of their identity that remained continuous despite their injury. Among the most frequently discussed strategies for reestablishing an integrated identity after SCI were "adapting activities" and "establishing an active life," themes that highlight the relevance of identity exploration in adulthood. Military identity and culture afforded both benefits in adjusting to SCI (e.g., perseverance in recovery processes) as well as vulnerabilities (e.g., threats to self-sufficiency and physical fitness).

Conclusions/implications: The findings reinforce the importance of disability identity development as well as overall identity integration and reveal potential strategies that individuals may use to adapt their identities following SCI. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

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来源期刊

Rehabilitation Psychology Multiple-

CiteScore

4.80

自引率

7.40%

发文量

期刊介绍： Rehabilitation Psychology is a quarterly peer-reviewed journal that publishes articles in furtherance of the mission of Division 22 (Rehabilitation Psychology) of the American Psychological Association and to advance the science and practice of rehabilitation psychology. Rehabilitation psychologists consider the entire network of biological, psychological, social, environmental, and political factors that affect the functioning of persons with disabilities or chronic illness. Given the breadth of rehabilitation psychology, the journal"s scope is broadly defined.