SCI research examining resources has highlighted
the importance of age, gender, employment and social
support for emotional adjustment to SCI. These
factors have been found to moderate the severity of
emotional reactions to SCI. More than any other
resource, social support has received recognition as a
mediator of emotional adjustment. The quality of
social support oered to an individual, especially
relationships characterised by reassurance of worth
and independence, has been associated with good
emotional adjustment. In contrast, relationships char-
acterised by nurturing have been associated with poor
adjustment in individuals with a SCI. However, with
increased social support, rates of depression and poor
health have been found to decrease in populations
with SCI (Table 1).