Abstract Background: Millions of people globally endure spinal cord injuries (SCIs), which pose significant physical and psychological challenges. Promoting recovery through holistic rehabilitation is essential. A deeper understanding of posttraumatic growth (PTG) can enhance rehabilitation outcomes, mental health, and overall quality of life for individuals with SCI. This study aims to examine the overall level of PTG among individuals with traumatic SCI (TSCI), as well as the five specific dimensions of PTG within this population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 101 SCI patients was conducted at the Ibn al-Kuff Center for SCI Rehabilitation in Baghdad. Participants completed the validated Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory-21, and clinical as well as demographic data were collected to characterize the sample. As the data were not normally distributed, nonparametric methods were applied. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, were used to summarize demographic and study variables. Results: The majority of SCI patients were males (94.1%) and under 33 years old, with falls identified as the most common cause of injury (31.7%). Psychologically, contrary to researchers’ hypothesis, only 2.0% showed high levels of PTG, while the majority (67.3%) had no to low PTG (M = 55.04, SD = 16.38). Among the five PTG dimensions, spiritual growth had the highest mean score (M = 3.15), followed by personal strength (M = 3.01). Conclusion: TSCI patients generally demonstrated low levels of PTG, with few experiencing high PTG, with spirituality and personal strength being the most significant areas of coping.
Al-Sadoon et al. (Fri,) studied this question.