Predicting community participation after spinal cord injury in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the predictors of community participation after spinal cord injury.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional design.

METHODS

A total of 139 persons with spinal cord injury living in the community completed 4 instruments: the Impact on Participation and Autonomy (IPA-Thai version), the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF-SF-Thai version), the Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ2000-Thai version), and a personal history questionnaire. Functional performance was assessed using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor subscale.

RESULTS

Participants comprised 79% males. Fifty-one percent of variance in community participation was explained by social support, functional performance, age, and age at time of injury.

CONCLUSION

Key predictors of community participation were the availability of social support and the individual's functional performance. These predictors should be emphasized when developing interventions in rehabilitation and community settings.