Abstract Objectives: Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes profound physical and psychological challenges. Coping strategies are crucial for psychological adjustment, yet their rôle in predicting well-being among patients with SCI in the Indian context remains underexplored. In this study, we intended to examine the relationship between coping strategies and psychological well-being and to identify key coping predictors of well-being in patients with SCI. Methods: We included 100 individuals with traumatic SCI recruited through purposive sampling from a tertiary care hospital in India. Coping strategies were assessed using the Brief Cope Scale, and psychological well-being was measured using the General Health Questionnaire-28. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: Problem-focused copings in various forms were significantly associated with lower psychological distress ( p < 0.01 or p < 0.05), whereas maladaptive strategies, particularly behavioral disengagements in various symptoms, were significantly associated with higher levels of psychological distress ( p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). Planning emerged as a key protective factor, and behavioral disengagements in every category emerged as the significant positive predictors of psychological distress ( p < 0.01). Conclusion: Coping strategies are important and modifiable predictors of psychological well-being following SCI. Rehabilitation programs should prioritize reducing maladaptive coping and strengthening problem-focused coping and social support to improve mental health outcomes.
Govil et al. (Thu,) studied this question.