Global and domain-specific life satisfaction among older adults with long-term spinal cord injury

Abstract

Objective: Although life expectancy after spinal cord injury (SCI) has increased, knowledge of life satisfaction and associated factors among older adults with long-term SCI is still very limited. The objective of this study was, therefore, to assess global and domain-specific life satisfaction among older adults with long-term SCI and investigate the association with sociodemographics, injury characteristics and secondary health conditions. Design: Cross-sectional cohort study. Data from the Swedish Aging with Spinal Cord Injury Study (SASCIS). Setting: Community settings in southern Sweden. Participants: Seventy-eight individuals (32% women, injury levels C1-L3, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) AD) mean age 68 years, mean time since injury 31 years. Interventions: Not applicable. Outcome measures: The Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSat-11). Results: The participants were at least rather satisfied with most of the 11 life domains. They rated the lowest satisfaction with sexual life, activities of daily living and somatic health. Having a partner and being vocationally active was associated with greater satisfaction with life as a whole and with several other life domains. Participants with AIS D injuries were less satisfied with their somatic health than those with tetraplegia AIS A-C and paraplegia AIS A-C injuries. More secondary health conditions were negatively associated with satisfaction in five life domains. Conclusion: Life satisfaction can be affected many years after SCI. The social context, participation in meaningful activities and minimizing secondary health conditions seem to be important for maintaining life satisfaction in older adults with a long-term injury.

Changes in health-related quality of life among older adults aging with long-term spinal cord injury

“…These positive findings were expected as previous studies have found that global QoL reaches a relatively high and stable level many years after SCI [10,13,14]. In the SASCIS sample, we have previously reported on relatively high levels of global life satisfaction [17,20]. Although life satisfaction and HRQoL are not identical constructs, it could be assumed that a person's overall satisfaction with their life situation would relate to the rating of global QoL.…”

“…The results from our previous cross-sectional studies are overall positive, showing that these older adults with long-term SCI exhibit a relatively high level of physical independence, are generally satisfied with their lives, have a strong sense of coherence and a low presence of probable depression. However, our results also provide indications for a proactive approach in clinical follow-up, especially regarding pain, depressive symptoms, satisfaction with sexual life, and lifestyle-related factors [17][18][19][20][21].…”

“…This might not be expected, yet, others have found similar results [27,28]. In addition, we have previously found an association between more depressive symptoms, a lower satisfaction with somatic health and an AIS D injury in the SASCIS sample [19,20]. The literature provides some explanation to these somewhat counterintuitive findings.…”

Quality of life in patients with tetraplegia and paraplegia after traumatic spinal cord injury

“…The quality of sexual life with interpersonal relations becomes particularly important, especially in persons with a marked reduction of independence [29,30]. Sexual functions are a very important factor in the QOL; recovery of these activities is the highest priority in patients with paraplegia and is in second place of priority in the tetraplegic patients after recovery of hand function [31,32].…”

Life Satisfaction in Persons With Late Effects of Polio: A Test‐Retest Reliability Study

“…7,12,13 To be able to assess life satisfaction and to evaluate effects of interventions for persons with LEoPs, valid and reliable outcome measures should be used. One commonly used self-report outcome measure to assess life satisfaction in LEoPs 3,7,14 and in other neurological conditions [15][16][17][18][19][20] is the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSat-11), developed and validated by Fugl-Meyer et al 9,21 LiSat-11 includes one question about global life satisfaction "Life as a whole" and 10 domain-specific questions about vocation, economy, leisure, contacts with friends and acquaintances, sexual life, activities of daily living (ADLs; ability to manage self-care in dressing, hygiene, transfers), family life, partner relationship, somatic health, and psychological health. In clinical practice and in research, life satisfaction is sometimes assessed by using only the global "Life as a whole" item.…”