A patient with SCI who becomes embarrassed by the appearance of atrophied legs is illustrating which psychosocial consequence?

A patient with SCI who becomes embarrassed by the appearance of atrophied legs is illustrating which psychosocial consequence?

• A. Loss of bowel and bladder control
• B. Altered self-esteem and body image
• C. Role reversal within the family
• D. Cognitive impairment

Answer: (B)

Embarrassment at the appearance of atrophied legs reflects a change in how the person perceives and values their own body, which ties directly to altered self-esteem and body image. After a spinal cord injury, visible changes such as muscle wasting, loss of muscle tone, and altered leg contour can make someone feel less like themselves or less attractive, shaking their confidence and sense of identity. This can lead to withdrawal from social activities, doubt about new abilities, and a pushed-down sense of worth, all rooted in how the body is seen and valued after the injury. Other issues describe different challenges. For example, loss of bowel and bladder control is a functional impairment with its own psychosocial effects, but it isn’t specifically about appearance. Role reversal within the family concerns changes in family dynamics rather than body perception. Cognitive impairment is not a typical consequence of spinal cord injury and doesn’t explain distress tied to leg appearance.

Embarrassment at the appearance of atrophied legs reflects a change in how the person perceives and values their own body, which ties directly to altered self-esteem and body image. After a spinal cord injury, visible changes such as muscle wasting, loss of muscle tone, and altered leg contour can make someone feel less like themselves or less attractive, shaking their confidence and sense of identity. This can lead to withdrawal from social activities, doubt about new abilities, and a pushed-down sense of worth, all rooted in how the body is seen and valued after the injury.

Other issues describe different challenges. For example, loss of bowel and bladder control is a functional impairment with its own psychosocial effects, but it isn’t specifically about appearance. Role reversal within the family concerns changes in family dynamics rather than body perception. Cognitive impairment is not a typical consequence of spinal cord injury and doesn’t explain distress tied to leg appearance.