Perceived participation and problems in participation are determinants of life satisfaction in people with spinal cord injury

Purpose. To determine the relationships between perceived participation and problems in participation, and life satisfaction in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Method. A total of 157 men and women with SCI completed the Swedish versions of the Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire (IPA) and the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSat-9). Results. The respondents' perceived participation in the five domains of the IPA was significantly correlated with their satisfaction with life as a whole (P < 0.01) and in most of the eight other domains of life satisfaction (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) in the LiSat-9. The respondents' life satisfaction decreased gradually with increasing frequency of severe problems in participation and significant differences within groups of increasingly severe problems were found. The level of life satisfaction in respondents that perceived no severe problems with participation was similar to those of a normal population. Conclusions. Perceived participation and problems in participation are determinants of life satisfaction in people with SCI. The results emphasize the importance to focus on severe problems with participation in order to optimize life satisfaction during the rehabilitation after SCI.