Social disconnectedness and perceived social isolation in persons with spinal cord injury/ dysfunction living in the community: A scoping review

This review looks at research on social isolation among adults with spinal cord injuries (SCI/D) who live in the community. It focuses on two types of isolation: social disconnectedness (lack of contact with others) and perceived social isolation (feelings of loneliness). The review identifies factors that affect social isolation in this group and highlights gaps in current research, aiming to inform future interventions.

• 1
  Most studies focused on perceived social isolation (PSI), with fewer addressing social disconnectedness.
• 2
  Factors influencing social disconnectedness and PSI included participant characteristics, social support, psychological well-being, participation in activities, the built environment and physical health.
• 3
  There's inconsistency in how social disconnectedness and PSI are measured and defined across studies, making comparisons difficult.