Friendship and social engagement

What is friendship? 

Friendship is a voluntary and personal social relationship characterised by trust, shared experiences, and common values. These relationships can vary in intensity but generally involve camaraderie, support, and companionship. Friendships provide people with a sense of value and belonging, significantly shaping self-identity. They enhance emotional health and overall happiness, contributing to a sense of community. 

What is social engagement? 

Social engagement refers to how people participate in their communities and interact with others. It fosters a sense of belonging and social identity, playing a crucial role in mental health and quality of life. For those recovering from spinal cord injury, social engagement can lead to better rehabilitation outcomes and a more active, fulfilling life. 

Relationship changes after spinal cord injury 

After spinal cord injury, people often experience shifts in their friendships. Some relationships may strengthen, while others might weaken or end, leading to challenges in maintaining social connections. This can contribute to increased feelings of isolation, especially for those without strong family support. 

Relationships with partners and children are other important relationships in a person’s life. For more information on these relationships following spinal cord injury, please see the relationships and intimacy section of this website.

The role of health professionals 

Health professionals and service providers can address the challenges of maintaining friendships and social connections by being aware of the barriers faced by people with spinal cord injury. Each person’s situation is unique and requires tailored strategies, such as: 

• addressing the impact of hospital stay on social connections;
• exploring how roles and responsibilities within relationships might shift;
• facilitating open discussions about maintaining and adapting friendships; and
• helping set priorities for their social lives.

By providing personalise supports, health professionals can help people with spinal cord injury and their support networks to adapt to changed relationship dynamics, foster resilience, and maintain meaningful connections through rehabilitation.

Clinical strategies 

To foster friendship and social engagement in a clinical setting, health professionals can:  

• Set up accessible technology: facilitate online connections through social media and communication platforms. 
• Promote autonomy: encourage people to practice physical skills, which can reduce anxiety and build confidence. 
• Encourage community access: support participation in local activities and events. 
• Promote peer support: facilitate connections with others who share similar experiences. 
• Encourage networking opportunities: create avenues for people to meet new other. 
• Balance relationships: help people maintain healthy dynamics in friendships, preventing strain from focusing solely on their needs.