Life Satisfaction in Individuals With Long-Term Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: An Investigation of Associated Biopsychosocial Factors

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate relationships between self-reported biological, psychological, and social factors and global, vocational, and home life satisfaction in individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) an average of more than 30 years postinjury. DesignCross-sectional analyses of self-report assessment data. SettingSpecialty and university hospitals in the southeastern and midwestern United States. ParticipantsIndividuals with a history of traumatic SCI (n=546) who responded to the most recent data collection period of the SCI Longitudinal Aging Study (2018-2019) and who were at least 2 years postinjury and at least 18 years or older at initial study enrollment. InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresGlobal life satisfaction, home life satisfaction, and vocational life satisfaction as measured by the Life Situation Questionnaire-Revised. ResultsTaken together, the biopsychosocial variables explained 55.1% of the variance in global life satisfaction. Less severe depressive symptoms, greater emotional social support, and greater instrumental social support were significantly associated with greater global life satisfaction. Together, the independent variables explained 50.7% of the variance in home life satisfaction. Being in a relationship, having less severe depressive symptoms, having greater emotional social support, and having greater instrumental social support were significantly associated with home life satisfaction. Together, the independent variables explained 44.8% of the variance in vocational satisfaction. Being White, non-Hispanic, having more years of education, being in a relationship, having less severe depressive symptoms, and having greater emotional social support were significantly associated with greater vocational satisfaction. ConclusionThese results support the need to assess psychological symptoms and available social support as potential modifiable factors related to several domains of life satisfaction in this aging population. Improving psychological symptoms and strengthening available social support may relate to improved life satisfaction.