Addressing emotional intelligence in young adults with a spinal cord injury : enhancing rehabilitation outcomes
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The impact of Emotional Intelligence (EI) on rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) remains underexplored, particularly within inpatient rehabilitation settings. This capstone project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of EI education enhancing rehabilitation outcomes by focusing on hospital staff and patients in a specialized rehabilitation facility. The study was conducted over a 14-week period at Rusk Rehabilitation Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, involving therapy, nursing, and case management staff, as well as young and older adult patients undergoing SCI rehabilitation. The project consisted of two key components: an EI educational intervention for hospital staff and a series of educational sessions for SCI patients, with a focus on mental health and EI. Pre-and post- surveys were administered to hospital staff to assess changes in their knowledge and application of EI, revealing a significant improvement in their ability to define EI, understand its five components, and recognize its importance in patient care. For patients, EI education was integrated into their rehabilitation process, emphasizing the management of emotions, the development of self-awareness, and the application of coping strategies. Art therapy was also utilized to facilitate emotional expression and processing. The results highlight the value of EI education in enhancing both staff and patient outcomes in rehabilitation settings. The findings suggest that incorporating EI education into rehabilitation programs can potentially prevent stagnation, sustain motivation, and improve mental health, particularly in young adults with SCI. Future research is recommended to further explore the role of EI in rehabilitation, with a focus in other life changing diagnoses such as stroke and amputations, and to assess the long-term impact of EI-focused interventions on patient outcomes,
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