Social class and adjustment to paraplegia : a study of the influence of social class on the adjustment of paraplegics

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between social class and the adjustment of paraplegics. It is an individual thesis written as part of a group study on paraplegia, undertaken by five members of the 1969 class of the Maritime School of Social Work. The source of data was twenty-three paraplegics registered at the Canadian Paraplegic Association, Atlantic Division in September, 1968. Information pertinent to the concerns of all members of the group was obtained by interviews based on a questionnaire. Data relevant to this thesis were extracted and analysis carried out. It was found that paraplegics from the upper and middle classes adjusted better to their physical disability than those from the lower class. The occurrence of paraplegia was found responsible in some cases for vertical mobility. It was found that programs had been used only by upper and middle class paraplegics. It was concluded that social workers should be more aware of the implications of socio-economic status in rehabilitation treatment and some recommendations were made regarding programs for paraplegics.