Effect of social support on coping style and life quality of patients with traumatic paraplegia

Objective To investigate the impact of social support on coping style and life quality of patients with traumatic paraplegia. Methods According to social support rating scale (SSRS), 60 cases were divided into two groups: low social support group (total social support score lower than 35) and high social support group (total social support score higher than 45). Scores of WOCS and WHOQCL-BREF were compared between the two groups and correlation analysis was conducted. Results Average scores of SSRS, subjective support, objective support and support utilization of the 60 cases were (38.28 ± 4.92), (23.28 ± 5.21),(11.22 ±3.16) and (8.54 ± 1.97), respectively. There were 22 cases lower than 35 points (low score group), 17 cases higher than 45 points (high score group), and 21cases between 35 and 45 points. Scores of physiological, psychological, social relations and environment dimension of the high social support group was significantly higher than those of the low social support group, and there was significant difference(P <0. 05 or P <0. 01). Conclusions The degree of social support has an important impact on coping style and life quality of traumatic paraplegia patients. Well social support helps patients take active behaviors and improve the quality of life. Key words: Paraplegia; Social support; Coping style; Life quality