Relationship Between Effective Coping and Perceived Quality of Life in Spinal Cord Injured Patients

Study design: Measurement evaluation of the external and structural components of validity. Objectives: To examine the relationships between quality of life (QOL) as measured by the spinal cord injury (SCI) version of the Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index (QLI) and other constructs represented within the model of disablement; and to examine the domains and scoring model of the QLI by exploring item and overall score/section score relationships. Setting: Community, Alberta, Canada. Methods: A convenience sample of 98 individuals with SCI living in the community completed the QLI and measures representing the model of disablement including the ASIA motor index, Functional Independence Measure, Reintegration to Normal Living index, Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale and Rotter's Internal ± External Locus of Control scale. Results: Four of the ®ve a priori hypotheses were supported. Locus of control was not signi®cantly related to QOL as expected. Factor analysis resulted in a ®ve-factor structure that di ered from the four-domain model of the original QLI. Scoring relationships indicated that both the satisfaction and importance ratings contribute to the overall score, although not equally. Conclusion: There is support for the external component of validity although further examination regarding locus of control for persons with SCI is warranted. The structural component of validity requires further investigation to elucidate the domains of the SCI version of the QLI and the contribution of the importance scores.

Section: External Componentmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: External Componentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring quality of life of persons with spinal cord injury: external and structural validity

May

Warren

2002

“…Ten were tetraplegic and seven paraplegic. The cause of the SCI was a traffic accident (9), fall from a height (4), diving (2), riding (1) and an accident at work (1). The SCI was not associated with a head injury in any of the subjects.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adjustment to traumatic spinal cord injury. A longitudinal study of self-reported quality of life

Stensman

1994

In order to meet a long expressed need for a longitudinal study on personal adjustment to traumatic spinal cord injury, 17 consecutively treated persons with complete traumatic spinal cord injury were interviewed 0. 5-5 years after the injury on six occasions, with a total of 102 interviews. The variables studied were age at injury, social status, the cause of the accident, spinal level of injury and physical complications. The subjective quality of life (QOL) was reported on a 0-10 scale at all interviews and showed four patterns during the 5 year period. Five subjects reported that they were coping very well, with an almost unchanged QOL after the injury. Six reported good coping after an initially low QOL in the first years. Two subjects reported an unstable QOL, and four persons reported a continually low QOL without improvement. Variables related to unsatisfactory coping were severe pain, age above 35 years at the time of trauma, and being blameless for the accident.

“…36 In contrast, a substantial body of research has found no correlation between QOL/life satisfaction and level of SCI: the degree of impairment or extent of physical independence. 9,15,20,48,49,52,60, Meta-analyses of research into QOL following SCI reported by Evans et al 75 and Dijkers 36 have demonstrated the wide variety of research designs and instruments, modes of analysis and sample characteristics that make comparisons and overall conclusions problematic. These difficulties were further explored in a review published by Hallin et al, 107 who identified the need for 'carefully constructed condition-specific instruments that can capture dimensions of specific interest for the SCI population' (p 520).…”

Section: Qol Following Sci: Quantitative Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring quality of life following high spinal cord injury: a review and critique

Hammell¹

2004

123

Study design: Review. Objectives: To explore the concept of quality of life (QOL), critique the practice and problems of assessing QOL following spinal cord injury (SCI) and to review the findings of studies into QOL for people with SCI both below and above the level of C4. Methods: Relevant articles were identified from the Medline and CINAHL databases for approximately the period 1990-2003, cross-indexing 'spinal cord injury' or 'quadriplegia/ tetraplegia' with 'quality of life', 'life satisfaction', 'social adjustment' or 'psychological adaptation'. This search was augmented through papers identified in reference lists. Articles were excluded if they were designed solely to examine the impact of a specific intervention upon QOL; or if they examined satisfaction with various life domains without explicitly linking these to perceptions of QOL. Papers were also accessed that addressed the philosophical and epistemological issues involved in QOL conceptions and assessment. Results: Review of the literature highlights the philosophical and methodological difficulties associated with the quantitative measurement of a qualitative experience; and with the assessment of life domains chosen by researchers. Analysis of QOL research undertaken among people with all levels of SCI demonstrates that dissatisfaction with life following injury arises primarily from social disadvantage. However, little research has been conducted specifically to ascertain perceptions of QOL among people with high SCI. Conclusions: Ensuring the relevance of future research into QOL following high SCI requires qualitative methodology and mixed methods. Further research is needed to determine how rehabilitation professionals can act on the findings of their QOL assessments and enhance the QOL experienced by people with spinal cord injury in the context of their environments. Sponsorship: The early phase of this study was supported by: University of British Columbia Graduate Fellowship; Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation (studentship); Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada: doctoral fellowship.