THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GROUP PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION IN ENHANCING PERCEPTIONS OF CONTROL FOLLOWING SPINAL-CORD INJURY

Objective: This research investigated the effects of a structured psyc hological intervention, delivered during hospital rehabilitation, on t he perceptions of control in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Met hod: A longitudinal study was designed to assess perceptions of contro l (using an objective measure of locus of control) in SCI persons who participated in specialised group cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) during hospital rehabilitation. The treatment SCI group's responses on locus of control were compared with a control group of SCI persons wh o only received traditional rehabilitation services during their hospi talisation. Results and Conclusions: Mean locus of control scores were not high (i.e. external) for both groups and there were no overall gr oup differences on locus of control responses across time in compariso n to the control group. However, subjects in both groups who initially perceived life as externally controlled were extracted to form subgro ups. The members of the subgroup who received CBT were significantly m ore likely to feel in control of themselves 2 years post injury compar ed to similar persons in the control group. Furthermore, an external l ocus of control was significantly but mildly associated with depressiv e mood 2 years after the injury. This research suggests that the provi sion of a structured psychological program in the rehabilitation stage will be beneficial for many SCI persons who feel that they have littl e control over their lives.