By Marian M. Inguanzo, MSW, ACSW
and
Mitchell A. Kaplan PhD, CPSP
The physical disabilities associated with a
spinal cord injury represent a major life
altering traumatic event that can have physical,
psychological, and social ramifications for the
individual and his or her family members who
must now take on the role of caregivers. Social
service professionals know that the
long-term care of a family member with a severe
physical disability such as a spinal cord injury
can be very demanding for those doing the
caregiving. Studies conducted by the National
Association of Family Caregivers indicate that
the stress of taking care of a loved one with a
long-term illness or disability can have
devastating effects upon the physical and
emotional health of the caregiver, leaving them
unable to provide the level of assistance their
family member requires. In addition, the
physical and emotional stress of providing
long-term assistive care to a family member with
a spinal cord injury, the disability also places
a considerable strain on a person’s family
relationships and financial resources. Data from
clinical research conducted on this disability
population over the last several decades has
revealed that persons living with spinal cord
injury are at increased risk for the development
of several secondary comorbid medical conditions
such as clinical depression and drug and alcohol
abuse dependence.
Spinal cord injury can also place a severe strain
on an individual’s marital relationship when one
partner has to take on the unfamiliar role of
providing the other with continuous assistance with
the tasks of daily living such as dressing, eating,
showering, and in some cases, getting in and out of
bed. They also must assume the complete
responsibility of maintaining the financial
stability of their household while still performing
their caregiver responsibilities. The increasing
pressures of trying to balance their breadwinner and
caregiver responsibilities can often lead to marital
discord between the able bodied and disabled
partners, resulting in a decline in intimacy and
basic communication. The constant struggle to cope
with medical complications and increased physical
dependence of the spouse with the disability can
often lead to a heightened risk of depression and
feelings of resentment on the part of the
nondisabled partner. These feelings can often result
in the termination of the marriage through divorce.
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