Identifying Coping Strategies and Coping Resources among People with Spinal Cord Injury during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives: Prior research stresses the importance of effective coping strategies for positive adaptation, enhanced resilience, personal growth, and increased psychological health. Unfortunately, little research has investigated how Koreans with physical disabilities dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to identify coping strategies and resources that Koreans with physical disabilities applied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Using a purposeful criterion sampling strategy, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews. A total of 15 participants (11 men and 4 women) who were between 22 and 65 years of age participated in the study. Content mapping and content mining questions were used. We analyzed data qualitatively using the constant comparative method to generate emergent themes. Results: To deal with various COVID-related challenges, we identified 3 salient themes used as coping strategies by participants: (1) engaging in meaningful activities, (2) improving social and emotional support, and (3) experiencing resilience. Conclusions: Our findings address qualitative evidence that Korean adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) actively engaged in various activities, maintained and developed closer relationships, and experienced resilience to deal with COVID-19 related stressors. These strategies suggest the importance of effective coping strategies and resources as a catalyst for health and wellbeing of people with SCI.