Predictors of marital longevity after new spinal cord injury

Abstract

Prospective cohort design of married persons with new spinal cord injury (SCI). To examine the relationship of demographic and injury characteristics, self-rated health, physical functioning, and life satisfaction to the duration of marriage 1 to 15 years after SCI among individuals who were married at the time of injury. United States. Survival analysis was chosen to determine the predictors related to marital longevity, which is defined as non-occurrence of divorce after injury. In all, 2327 subjects were included in the analyses. Predictors were demographics and injury characteristics, level of handicap, self-perceived health, and functional independence. Age at injury, being Caucasian vs African American, having a college education vs high school, having 'other' employment status vs being unemployed, having higher social integration and improved or stable self-rated health vs poor health were all significant factors that delayed the time of divorce after injury. Contrary to expectations, level of injury, function, mobility and independence were not significant predictors of marriage longevity. Social integration and health perception, the most powerful indicators of marriage longevity, can be addressed and facilitated by health care providers and rehabilitation programs.