Quality of life in people with spinal cord injury

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the quality of life of people with spinal cord injury (SCI). A sample of 105 individuals with SCI completed a set of questionnaires to assess quality of life, daily stress, somatic symptoms, social support, and hardiness. Based on multiple regression analysis, we found that the quality of life of the participants was negatively associated with the severity of SCI (the most severity type [quadriplegia] showed the lowest quality of life), as well as with worse physical health and with an increase in weekly analgesic consumption. Conversely, there was a positive association between quality of life and hardiness, social support from friends, and a home adapted to spinal cord injury. Results suggest that people with a spinal cord injury have a lifestyle quite different from that of the rest of population, and their quality of life will be significantly diminished. Also, results show that the more complete and severe the SCI, the worse quality of life.