Factors Influencing Quality of Life of People with Noncongenital Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships among pain belief, perceived social support, coping strategies, and quality of life of people with noncongenital spinal cord injury and to identify factors influencing quality of life. Methods: A correlational predictive design was used. The data were collected from 197 people with noncongenital spinal cord injury with questionnaires in 2012 in Korea. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression using SPSS/WIN 18.0. Results: Pain belief, perceived social support, and coping strategies were correlated significantly with the quality of life. As a result of stepwise multiple regression analysis, pain belief, perceived social support, coping strategies, damaged area, and time since injury were discovered to account for 59.1% variance of the quality of life. The variable that most affected the quality of life was pain belief followed by perceived social support and coping strategies. Conclusion: The results of the study clearly demonstrate the importance of pain control, social support, and coping skills in order to improve quality of life among people with noncongenital spinal cord injury.