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This study aimed to: (1) develop a coding manual to characterize topics discussed and conversation techniques used during peer mentorship conversations between people with spinal cord injury (SCI); (2) assess the reliability of the manual; and (3) apply the manual to characterize conversations. The study was conducted in partnership with three Canadian provincial SCI organizations. Twenty-five phone conversations between SCI peer mentors and mentees were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Ten transcripts were inductively analyzed to develop a coding manual identifying topics and techniques used during the conversations. Inductive technique codes were combined and deductively linked to motivational interviewing and behaviour change techniques. Two coders independently applied the coding manual to all transcripts. Code frequencies were calculated. The coding manual included 14 topics and 31 techniques. The most frequently coded topics were personal information, recreational programs, and chronic health services for mentors and mentees. The most frequently coded techniques were giving personal information, social smoothers, and closed question for mentors; and giving personal information, social smoothers, and sharing perspective for mentees. This research provides insights into topics and techniques used during real-world peer mentorship conversations. Findings may be valuable for understanding and improving SCI peer mentorship programs. SCI peer mentorship conversations address a wide range of rehabilitation topics ranging from acute care to living in the community. Identification of the topics discussed, and techniques used in SCI peer mentorship conversations can help to inform formalized efforts to train and educate acute and community-based rehabilitation professionals. Identifying commonly discussed topics in SCI peer mentorship conversation may help to ensure that peer mentors are equipped with the necessary knowledge and resources, or the development of those resources be prioritized. Developing a method to characterize the topics discussed and techniques used during SCI peer mentorship conversations may aid in designing methods to evaluate how rehabilitation professionals provide support to people with SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/Objective: The purpose of the present study was to develop an understanding of successful aging (SA) meanings and influences that is informed by the lived experiences of people aging with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI). Method: This study was conducted in partnership with three Canadian provincial SCI organizations using an integrated knowledge translation (IKT) approach. To ensure findings were meaningful and practical to the three SCI organizations, the study was grounded in pragmatic philosophical assumptions. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 22 people aging with long-term SCI (minimum 45 years of age; minimum 10-years postinjury). All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to a reflexive thematic analysis. Results: SA was understood as an interconnected and multifaceted concept that prioritizes health, participation, and independence. Participants discussed how SA was influenced negatively by personal (aging-related complications, intrapersonal emotional distress) and environmental (lack of available resources, differing community priorities) barriers. Participants reported that SA was positively influenced when individuals acted as self-advocates, were prepared and aware of aging-related changes, and maintained strong relationships with others. Conclusions/Implications: This study presents an initial, SCI-specific understanding of meanings and influences on SA. Although there were similarities between our findings and previous SA models, pertinent differences were also identified. Findings highlight that supporting quality participation experiences for people aging with long-term SCI may be an important direction SCI organizations can take to support their membership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has extensively examined the adverse outcomes of being family support provider also known as a family caregiver, of someone with spinal cord injury (SCI) such as psychological distress, poor health, and burden. Despite clear evidence of the negative impact of this social role, few interventions exist aiming to support family support providers of people with SCI. This scoping review aimed to guide future intervention development by identifying the components necessary to develop an intervention to support SCI family support providers using the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW). Electronic databases (CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medline, Embase) were searched in May 2017. Articles relating to outcomes and/or behaviours of support providers of people with SCI were identified. Intervention components of the BCW, including behaviours, factors influencing behaviours, intervention content, and evaluation methods, were extracted from included articles. Of the 59 included articles, most emphasized the outcomes of being a support provider but provided little evidence of behaviours, which may influence such outcomes. The most commonly identified behaviours included engaging in leisure time or daily activities, problem-solving, and providing support. Very few measures were used to measure engagement in behaviours objectively. The literature suggests that behaviours are often influenced by family support providers' physical and social environments. However, barriers may vary between behaviours and contexts. The results of this review show that there are many viable behavioural targets for intervention. Therefore, intervention efforts may need to be tailored to individuals' needs. A promising intervention approach may be to use a theory which promotes change in the ecological context of family support providers while encouraging behavioural strategies to overcome individual barriers. Future research should further examine the factors that influence specific behaviours to more comprehensively understand the context of the behaviour as well as effective intervention strategies to promote change. • Review focuses on the needs of people who support those with spinal cord injury (SCI). • Being a support provider to someone with an SCI impacts many daily behaviours. • The use of behaviour change theory has been limited in intervention development. • Support providers face barriers related to their social and environmental contexts. • Interventions should target individuals' ecological context and specific barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]