Health Sciences Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Science

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

Department

College of Health Care Sciences – Health Science Department

First Advisor

Elliot Sklar

Date of original Performance / Presentation

January 2022

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1-1-2022

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to determine whether the use of electronic communication devices (ECDs), assistive technologies (ATs), and the internet influence social integration and life satisfaction after tetraplegic injury. Design: A secondary analysis was conducted on a sample of 2984 participants who experienced a traumatic tetraplegic injury. They had to be at least one year postinjury and have participated in the National Spinal Cord Injury Models Systems study between 2011 and 2016. Methodology: A binary logistic regression was employed to analyze whether the use of ECDs, the internet, or ATs or demographic variables predicted high (≥ 80) and low or medium (< 80) social integration, as measured through the Craig Handicap and Reporting Technique. A one-way ANOVA was used to determine whether social integration level (low [0–49], medium [50–79], or high [≥ 80]) influenced life satisfaction. Results: Combined use of ECDs, ATs, and the internet increased the likelihood of high social integration by 200% (odds ratio [OR]: 2.96; 95% CI [2.07, 4.23]; p < .01) compared to using no devices or the internet. White participants had higher social integration than Black (OR: 0.64; 95% CI [0.49, 0.84]; p < .01) or Hispanic participants (OR: 0.47; 95% CI [0.29, 0.75]); p < .01), which highlights a disparity experienced by racial and ethnic minorities. Participants with higher social integration had higher life satisfaction than those with low (95% CI [4.46, 6.41]; p < .001) or medium social integration (95% CI [3.11, 4.75]; p < .001). Conclusion: Accessing and independently using ECDs and the internet, using AT as needed can provide individuals with tetraplegia greater access to social participation opportunities. Virtual socialization enables individuals with tetraplegia to seek out and make meaningful connections with others, thus improving their life satisfaction.

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Keywords

internet use; quality of life; self-help devices; social participation; spinal cord injuries; tetraplegia

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