HUGHES: Loneliness and Its Relation to Health in People with Spinal Cord Injury
Project Description:
Research has demonstrated the harmful effects of loneliness on the psychological and physical health of people in general, but there is very little research on how loneliness affects the psychological health of people with SCI and no research on its physical health effects. There is clearly a need for research to address these important issues. This study will explore the experience of loneliness in people with SCI; the relation between loneliness and a number of contextual variables (e.g., demographic, injury, disability, and social network variables); how loneliness relates to psychological and physical health; and the extent to which loneliness predicts psychological and physical health over and above contextual variables, including social isolation. The project will consist of a national longitudinal study (N=300) with surveys administered at baseline and 12 months later. We will partner with a Community Advisory Board of men and women with SCI, including veterans with SCI, to provide input and guidance in all phases of the project.
Our findings will have the potential to impact clinical care, alerting health care providers that the psychosocial experience of patients with SCI should not be dismissed or ignored while also providing results that may inform the development of interventions for people with SCI, including veterans. By the end of this study, the improved understanding of the short- and long-term factors associated with loneliness will not only help health care providers better identify those at greatest risk of loneliness but will also inform the development of interventions to address this challenging issue. Future interventions will have the potential to reduce loneliness and improve the quality of life of people with SCI, including veterans. Furthermore, if determined to significantly impact psychological and physical health, we anticipate these results to be instrumental in changing health policy and practice by demonstrating that attending to loneliness as a routine part of clinical care is essential to the health of persons with SCI.
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation
Area of Emphasis
Health-Related Activities
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Adults with Disabilities
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Geographic Area - Other, Specific Groups, Other
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
National
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
