This study involves an objective examination of ADL functional differences and differences in motor strength in a cross-sequential sample. Correlating the findings with other data in the RRTC database will also allow for the analysis of associations between function and strength and other factors such as obesity, pain, cardiovascular condition, and pulmonary function, as well as age and injury duration. D. Abstract People with SCI face serious challenges and threats to their independence as they age because of new health problems and functional changes that occur. Coping with these problems is difficult as evidenced by the high rates of psychological distress reported in the literature. The most serious form of psychological distress that occurs to people with SCI is depression.
Depression can have profound effects on health, functioning and quality of life.
There are also significant differences across ethnic groups in the prevalence of depression, in the display of symptoms, and methods of coping. The results indicated that as these persons grew older, they experienced new work-related problems because of functional declines and changing job requirements. Many of these new problems were not satisfactorily accommodated. Furthermore, most employees with SCI were not aware of the resources and services currently available to help them solve these problems, nor were their employers, nor State Department Rehabilitation counselors. This project addresses these problems through a coordinated program of research, development, education and dissemination activities.