Quality of life and its predictors in people with traumatic spinal cord injury in mainland China

Abstract

Study designCross-sectional survey.ObjectiveTo assess quality of life (QOL) and the predictors of QOL in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).SettingShanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital, Mainland China.MethodsThree hundred adult participants with SCI completed standardized self-report measures. The study assessed QOL, demographic and injury variables, psychological factors and community participation. Psychological factors included resilience, post-traumatic growth, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. Descriptive analyses were used to calculate the QOL, psychological outcomes, and community participation scores. The relationship between all the factors was examined using Pearson correlation analysis. Regression analyses were performed to determine the independent predictors of QOL.ResultsThe mean range of items for four domains of QOL was from 3.0 to 3.2. Resilience and post-traumatic growth showed significant positive relationships with each domain of QOL (range of r from 0.26 to 0.53, p\u2009<\u20090.01). Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression showed negative relationships with each domain of QOL (range of r from −0.67 to −0.27, p\u2009<\u20090.01). Community participation showed weak significant relationships with three domains of QOL. Participants’ self-reported perception of environmental barriers and the five psychological outcomes were the most significant predictors of QOL. Community participation did not show any predictive effect.ConclusionsThe QOL of people with SCI in Mainland China needs improvement. Many factors influence QOL, especially psychological outcome variables. Promoting mental health in individuals with SCI is critical to improving overall QOL.