Abstract
Study design:
Cross-sectional survey.
Objectives:
To examine factors that may enhance and promote resilience in adults with spina bifida.
Setting:
Community-based disability organisations within Australia.
Methods:
Ninety-seven adults with a diagnosis of spina bifida (SB) completed a survey comprising of demographic questions in addition to standardised self-report measures of physical functioning (Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique), resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, 10 item), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale), self-compassion (Self-compassion Scale) and psychological distress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, 21 item).
Results:
The majority (66%) of respondents reported moderate to high resilience. Physical disability impacted on coping, with greater CD-RISC 10 scores reported by individuals who were functionally independent in addition to those who experienced less medical co-morbidities. Significant correlations between resilience and psychological traits (self-esteem r=0.36, P<0.01; self-compassion r=0.40, P<0.01) were also noted. However, the combined contribution of these variables only accounted for 23% of the total variance in resilience scores (R2=0.227, F(5,94)=5.23, P<0.01).
Conclusion:
These findings extend current understanding of the concept of resilience in adults with a congenital physical disability. The suggestion is that resilience involves a complex interplay between physical determinants of health and psychological characteristics, such as self-esteem and self-compassion. It follows that cognitive behavioural strategies with a focus on self-management may, in part, contribute to the process of resilience in this group. Further large-scale and longitudinal research will help to confirm these findings.
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Acknowledgements
The authors are very grateful for the cooperation of the many organisations that participated in this research, in particular the Spina Bifida Association of South Australia and Disability SA who dedicated their time and staffing resources.
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Hayter, M., Dorstyn, D. Resilience, self-esteem and self-compassion in adults with spina bifida. Spinal Cord 52, 167–171 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2013.152
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2013.152
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