Forgiveness and acceptance of disability in people with traumatic spinal cord injury-the mediating role of disability appraisal. A cross-sectional study.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional study using questionnaires.

OBJECTIVES

This paper investigates the correlation between forgiveness and acceptance of disability and mediation effects of appraisal of disability in people with traumatic spinal cord injury (T-SCI).

SETTING

Community-dwelling people with T-SCI in Poland.

METHODS

The study assessed forgiveness, appraisal of disability, and acceptance of disability. The association between all the variables was examined by Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple mediation macro Preacher and Hayes' (Behav Res Methods 40:879-91, 2008)-model 4, including appraisals of disability as a mediator on the relationship between forgiveness and acceptance of disability.

RESULTS

Participants were 163 adults with T-SCI (63 females and 100 males, the average age of the sample was 39.6, SD = 9.38). Forgiveness showed a significant relationship with all dimensions of acceptance of disability. In addition, appraisal of disability, especially determined resolve, overwhelming disbelief, and negative perceptions of disability were mediators between forgiveness and all dimensions of acceptance of disability. In case of acceptance of disability as a subordinating physique relative to other values, full mediation was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Forgiveness along with appraisal of disability is important for explaining disability acceptance. Promoting forgiveness and positive assessments of disability at the same time weakening negative assessments of disability can be favorable for making necessary changes in values, and as a result, for strengthened mental health and successful psychosocial adaptation in individuals with T-SCI.