title: Life satisfaction in people with spinal cord injury during the first five years after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the course of life satisfaction in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) during the first 5 years after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and to examine its determinants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multi-centre prospective cohort study with four measurements, the first at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, the last 5 years after discharge. Data of 162 persons with SCI were analyzed. Life satisfaction was measured as the sum score of 'current life satisfaction' and 'current life satisfaction compared to life satisfaction before SCI'. Lesion characteristics, functional independence, secondary impairments, pain, social support and self-efficacy were analyzed as possible determinants of life satisfaction. Random coefficient analysis was used for the analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant changes in life satisfaction were found between discharge and 2 years later, however there were significant increases from two to 5 years post discharge. High functional independence, low pain, high everyday social support and high self-efficacy were significant determinants of a positive course of life satisfaction after discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increases in life satisfaction were found in persons with SCI in the long run. High functional status, low pain, good social skills and high self-efficacy were related to high life satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience and Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht and De Hoogstraat, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Christel M C
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: van Leeuwen
authors.forename: Marcel W M
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Post
authors.forename: Floris W A
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: van Asbeck
authors.forename: Helma M H
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Bongers-Janssen
authors.forename: Lucas H V
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: van der Woude
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Groot
authors.forename: Eline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lindeman
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors