Abstract
This study examined coping among caregivers of youth with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Using a cross-sectional survey study
design, 164 caregivers completed a demographics questionnaire and the Brief COPE. Their children, youth with SCI ages 7–18,
completed the Kidcope. T-tests were conducted to examine differences in caregiver coping by demographic and injury-related
factors. Further, logistic regression models were evaluated to examine predictive relationships between caregiver coping and
youth coping. Several demographic and injury-related factors were related to caregiver coping, including caregiver gender,
race, and education, as well as youth gender, age at injury, and time since injury. In the logistic regressions, two caregiver
coping strategies were related to youth coping: caregiver self-blame coping was related to youth self-criticism, and caregiver
behavioral disengagement coping (giving up attempts to cope) was related to youth blaming others coping. The findings suggest
that caregiver coping may play a role in the coping of their children, and should be considered when addressing coping among
youth with SCI.
design, 164 caregivers completed a demographics questionnaire and the Brief COPE. Their children, youth with SCI ages 7–18,
completed the Kidcope. T-tests were conducted to examine differences in caregiver coping by demographic and injury-related
factors. Further, logistic regression models were evaluated to examine predictive relationships between caregiver coping and
youth coping. Several demographic and injury-related factors were related to caregiver coping, including caregiver gender,
race, and education, as well as youth gender, age at injury, and time since injury. In the logistic regressions, two caregiver
coping strategies were related to youth coping: caregiver self-blame coping was related to youth self-criticism, and caregiver
behavioral disengagement coping (giving up attempts to cope) was related to youth blaming others coping. The findings suggest
that caregiver coping may play a role in the coping of their children, and should be considered when addressing coping among
youth with SCI.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10880-011-9258-z
- Authors
- Kimberly B. Dasch, Department of Psychology, University of Delaware, 108 Wolf Hall, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Heather F. Russell, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Erin H. Kelly, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Chicago, IL, USA
- Julie A. Gorzkowski, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Chicago, IL, USA
- Mary Jane Mulcahey, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Randal R. Betz, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Lawrence C. Vogel, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Chicago, IL, USA
- Journal Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings
- Online ISSN 1573-3572
- Print ISSN 1068-9583