DEPRESSION AMONG PEOPLE AGING WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY
Principal Investigator: Bryan Kemp, Ph.D.
Purposes
The purposes are 1) to determine the prevalence of depressive disorders and its correlates as people age with SCI and 2) to demonstrate improved treatment of depression as people age with SCI.
Methodology
Individuals are assessed with a SCI-sensitive measure of depression and measures of social support, coping styles and personality. People identified as depressed are being treated with medicine and psychotherapy.
Preliminary Results
About 42% of 100 people had some degree of significant
depression, 14% to a severe degree. Depression was unrelated to age and
only slightly related to level of injury. More depression was related to
unhelpful coping styles of avoidance and confrontation. People in treatment
have improved greatly.