Examining state and trait resilience in individuals with spinal cord injury and chronic pain: A daily and longitudinal analysis

Rehabil Psychol. 2026 May 28. doi: 10.1037/rep0000669. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: This study examined how resilience, conceptualized at both the within-person (state-like) and between-person (trait-like) levels, relates to psychological and social adjustment among individuals with spinal cord injury and chronic pain.

RESEARCH METHOD/DESIGN: A prospective observational study combining ecological momentary assessment and traditional survey methods was conducted over two time points (baseline and a 6-month follow-up). Participants reported on resilience, pain intensity, and psychosocial outcomes using validated scales. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine daily (state-like) resilience in relation to end-of-day positive affect, well-being, social participation, depressive symptoms, and anxiety while controlling for daily pain intensity and between-person resilience. Multiple regression models tested whether baseline (trait-like) resilience predicted psychosocial outcomes 6 months later, adjusting for baseline levels of each outcome, pain intensity, and relevant covariates.

RESULTS: Higher levels of both daily state-like and trait-like resilience were significantly associated with better same-day psychological and social outcomes. These associations remained significant after controlling for pain intensity and demographic/injury-related covariates. In contrast, trait-like resilience at baseline only predicted social participation at 6 months and was not a significant predictor of long-term emotional well-being, anxiety, or depression.

CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS: Our findings support the conceptualization of resilience as both an adaptable, immediate resource and a stable trait. Daily resilience may represent an important intervention target to improve real-time management, whereas trait resilience may have a greater impact on long-term social functioning. This study highlights the potential for developing personalized interventions that promote both state-like and trait-like resilience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:42207665 | DOI:10.1037/rep0000669