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Life Satisfaction After Spinal Cord Injury and Psychological Factors: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study
Aline J Hakbijl-van der Wind1, Christel M C van Leeuwen1, Tijn van Diemen2
1Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|May 21, 2026
Summary
Life satisfaction in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) gradually improved over four years post-discharge. Enhancing self-efficacy and reducing threatening appraisals during rehabilitation may positively impact long-term life satisfaction.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Psychology
- Quality of Life Research
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) significantly impacts individuals' lives, necessitating an understanding of their long-term psychological adjustment.
- Life satisfaction is a key indicator of well-being following SCI, yet its trajectory and influencing factors require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To track the course of life satisfaction in individuals with SCI from inpatient rehabilitation admission to four years post-discharge.
- To identify psychological factors associated with the changes in life satisfaction over time.
Main Methods:
- A prospective longitudinal cohort study involving 266 individuals with recent-onset SCI.
- Life satisfaction was measured using the 2-item Life Satisfaction Scale (2LS) at nine time points.
- Multilevel regression analyses were employed to examine predictors of life satisfaction, including self-efficacy, resilience, and cognitive appraisals.
Main Results:
- Life satisfaction showed a gradual increase from admission (5.3) to four years post-discharge (7.2), with significant improvements noted early in rehabilitation and between years one and four.
- Younger age, Dutch nationality, higher education, greater disability-management self-efficacy, and lower threatening appraisals were associated with a more positive life satisfaction trajectory.
- The study included participants with a mean age of 55.8 years, with 47% having paraplegia and 77% having incomplete SCI.
Conclusions:
- Life satisfaction significantly increases over time for individuals with SCI.
- Interventions aimed at improving self-efficacy and modifying threatening cognitive appraisals during inpatient rehabilitation may foster better long-term life satisfaction.
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