Predicting satisfaction with assistive technology for a sample of adults with new spinal cord injuries

To assess the validity of the Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment-Consumer Form for persons with a new spinal cord injury, 10 men and 10 women completed the scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Brief Symptom Inventory while in acute rehabilitation. One month postdischarge, subjects completed the Perceived Needs Inventory and rated their satisfaction with assistive technology. Significant positive correlations between items of the Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment and Satisfaction with Life Scale (and their significant negative correlations with scores on the Brief Symptom Inventory-Depression) suggest the selected Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment items measure quality of life (concurrent validity). Only Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment scores predicted satisfied use 1-mo. postdischarge as measured by the Perceived Needs Inventory.