Life Satisfaction Among Persons with Spinal Cord Injuries

Journal of Rehabilitation, July-Sept, 2000 by Brent W. Chase, Thomas A. Cornille, R. William English

The participants in this study cannot be considered representative of the population of persons with spinal cord injuries for several reasons. This study provided an opportunity for persons with a spinal cord injury to participate in the process by making the survey instruments available in multiple forms, including, paper and pencil, web based forms, e-mail based forms, and telephone interviews. As was described earlier, a disproportionate number of persons with quadriplegia (73%) responded to the opportunity. It is unclear to what extent this predominant response to the web-based forms by persons with quadriplegia reflects a perceived new opportunity for these persons to express their opinions. This phenomenon needs to be examined further. Based on our review of the literature we also limited the number of possible independent variables that might contribute to life satisfaction. We recognize that important aspects of adult life, such as marital satisfaction and access to leisure activities, need to be examined for their contribution to the life satisfaction of persons with spinal cord injuries. Finally, persons with quadriplegia are more likely to make use of personal assistance than persons with paraplegia. As a result, about one third of the persons who participated in the study did not complete the measure on satisfaction with personal assistance, most of those who did not complete that measure were either married or had paraplegia. This study does, however, point to important issues that need to be addressed in the next wave of research.

In summary, the major independent variables of perceived control, handicap, marital status, verbal communication, and satisfaction with personal assistance services were found to be significantly related to life satisfaction. The regression analysis showed that perceived personal control and marital status are especially significant predictors of life satisfaction in the regression analysis. Substantial or significant disability is recognized as a stressor that reduces independence and influence in one's life, at least in the early stages of adjustment (English, 1995). In turn, many persons, often with the best of intentions, act in an overly controlling or protective manner that reduces self-direction and reinforces dependency (English, 1994). Overall, the findings of this study support the idea that persons with a spinal cord injury should attempt to maximize constructive self-control, while minimizing unwanted intrusive behavior by others.

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