Social support as a factor of perceived independence among individuals with head injury

This study describes the relationship between variables of perceived social support and perceived independence among individuals with head injury as· determined from structured interviews with them.

Perceived social support was described for both quantity and satisfaction with support Independence was ascribed three connotations; those of (a) physical independence, (b) economic independence, and (c) perceptions of self as overall an essentially independent person.

Eight questions were asked, four were preliminary, and four were major. Findings suggest that subjects do see themselves as having support systems, with which they are generally satisfied. They see themselves to a fairly high degree as overall essentially independent persons with lessened degrees of physical and economic independence. They are satisfied with themselves as persons, but less satisfied with perceptions of their physical and economic independence. Correlation coefficient results show a relationship between satisfaction with support and satisfaction with perceived levels of physical and economic independence. Satisfaction with support is also related to perceived levels of economic independence.