Self-Efficacy and Quality of Life in People with Spinal Cord Injuries in China

Abstract

BostonThe purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between self-efficacy beliefs and the quality of life (QOL) in Chinese individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and to examine whether health status and demographic variables correlated with the QOL in this population. One hundred individuals with SCI in China participated in the study. The results indicated that self-efficacy beliefs accounted for a substantial variance in the QOL of the participants. Moreover, health status, income, educational level, and time spent on voluntary work were correlated with the QOL in this population. The results are discussed in line with the Chinese culture and its influences on psychosocial adjustment to SCI and rehabilitation services for people with disabilities in China. uality of life (QOL) as an ultimate rehabilitatioñ goal for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) is now widely accepted by professionals in the rehabilitation field (Although the term QOL has not been distinctly defined in the literature, researchers tend to agree that QOL is related to an individual's assessment of how satisfied he or she is with his or her own life and that QOL should be viewed from the perspective of people with disabilities (Roessler, 1990;Whiteneck, 1994). In line with this position, several studies have been conducted to investigate the meaning of QOL as perceived by people with SCI and the domains that contribute to QOL. For instance, in a qualitative study, Boswell, Dawson, and Heininger (1998) found that satisfaction with life was the key in the participant's perception of QOL. They also identified three domains in life-attitudes toward life, opportunities to work, and the level of resources-as significant contributors to QOL. Although attitude was the most important contributor, resources served as a necessary foundation for a positive attitude. Also, attitude was influenced by the opportunity to be employed. Similarly, Pain, Dunn, Anderson, Darrah, and Kratochvil (1998) reported that emotional health, relationships, maximizing potential, and having an enjoyable and meaningful life were the common themes of QOL identified by 22 individuals who either had physical disabilities or were family members of people with disabilities. Furthermore, the literature indicated that age, age at the time of injuries, educational levels, the status of health, employment and marriage, and social support were the correlates of the QOL in people

Psychological resources in spinal cord injury: a systematic literature review

“…29 These belief-related resources were related with a higher amount of work activity prior injury 43 and with more time spent on work post-injury. 25 Associations with employment status were inconsistent, 26,34,36 while the relationship with work impairment was not significant. 29 Social integration, 29 participation in SCIadapted activities 36 and physical activity were not consistently higher for persons with high PC or HSE in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.…”

“…The evidence for the relation of SE with well-being seemed fairly strong. Persons with high GSE, social SE or PC reported higher well-being [25][26][27] and life-satisfaction. 25,28,29 The results regarding perceived health were inconclusive.…”

“…Persons with high GSE, social SE or PC reported higher well-being [25][26][27] and life-satisfaction. 25,28,29 The results regarding perceived health were inconclusive. 25,26,29 HSE, but not GSE predicted quality of life in a multivariate longitudinal study.…”

“…25,28,29 The results regarding perceived health were inconclusive. 25,26,29 HSE, but not GSE predicted quality of life in a multivariate longitudinal study. 30 However, HSE's association with quality of life [30][31][32] and perceived health was inconsistent 32,33 and may be explained by differences in the study populations.…”

“…The evidence on the relation of SE with participation is fragmented, as different activity-types were examined. Persons with high GSE, HSE, exercise SE/mastery or PC performed more school, 43 recreation 25 or exercise activities 44,45 prior or postinjury. They performed better health behavior and used less healthcare services, 36 experienced more functional independence and less mobility restrictions.…”