Abstract
A study has been made of the acceptance of disability by 181 patients treated at Edenhall Hospital during the ten years from 1.1.61 to 31.12.70.
Their mental adjustment has been graded as failure, poor, fair, good or excellent and the factors influencing adjustment have been explored.
The most important factors in achieving a good adjustment are the previous background of the patient, both personal and environmental, and the patient's age. The young were found to have adjusted very much better than the old.
Other factors, such as education, desire to work and clinical problems are also discussed.
It is concluded that the adjustment process takes two years at least to complete and that it can best be helped in the atmosphere of a small unit where the patients have similar disabilities and problems and where the morale is high.
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Kerr, W., Thompson, M. Acceptance of disability of sudden onset in paraplegia. Spinal Cord 10, 94–102 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1972.16
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1972.16
