Forgiveness and Wellbeing after Spinal Cord Injury: Perceived Stress and Adaptation to Disability as Mediators

• Published in: Rehabilitation psychology 2022-11, Vol.67 (4), p.556-566
• Main Authors: Cornish, Marilyn A., Meyer, Jill, Short, Kaylee, Harris, LaVarius, Hunter, Evelyn, Quadlander, Emma
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation; Chronic Illness; Female; Forgiveness; Human; Male; Path Analysis; Perceived Stress; Quality of Life; Spinal Cord Injuries; Well Being
• ISSN: 0090-5550; 1939-1544
• DOI: 10.1037/rep0000459

Purpose/Objective: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-altering acquired disability. Understanding factors that contribute to adaption to disability and decreased SCI-related stress are critical to personal wellbeing and quality of life for SCI patients. Previous research suggests that forgiveness of others, self-forgiveness, and overall forgiveness are associated with psychological well-being in patients with other chronic illnesses. As such, dimensions of forgiveness may be relevant factors in restoring wellness in SCI patients. This study sought to examine a comprehensive model of the impact of forgiveness on multidimensional indicators of wellness. Research Method/Design: We tested a path model of the impact of trait forgiveness on wellbeing outcomes in adults living with SCI (N = 312). Specifically, we examined 2 mediating pathways-lower perceived stress and higher adaption to disability-by which dimensions of trait forgiveness (self, others, and situations) may influence wellbeing outcomes (psychological wellbeing, satisfaction with life, and perceived physical health). Results: The final path model (χ2 = 41.3, p < .001; CFI = .97; RMSEA = .09) suggests that 2 dimensions of forgiveness-self and situations-were significant negative predictors of perceived stress and positive predictors of adaptation to disability. In turn, perceived stress was a significant negative predictor of all 3 wellbeing outcomes and adaptation to disability was a significant positive predictor of all 3 wellbeing outcomes. Conclusions/Implications: Forgiveness of self and situations are resilience factors in individuals with SCI, suggesting targets for future interventions to improve wellbeing in this population. Impact and ImplicationsSituational forgiveness and self-forgiveness are predictors of adjustment processes and multidimensional wellbeing outcomes following spinal cord injury. Rehabilitation professionals should address the impact of unforgiveness of self and situations on postinjury outcomes and consider interventions to increase forgiveness as part of the rehabilitation process. Resources should be allocated for psychological recovery following acquired disability, in part because of relation to perceived physical health.