PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS, FUNCTIONING, MOOD AND GLOBAL QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN PERSONS WITH SPINAL-CORD INJURY AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

The aim of this study was to assess and compare spinal cord injured (S CI) and traumatic brain injured (TBI) persons and people from the gene ral population concerning partner relationships, functioning, mood and global quality of life.One hundred and sixty seven SCI persons, 92 TB I persons and 264 controls participated in the study. The median age w as: SCI persons 33 years (range 19 to 79 years), TBI persons 40 years (range 20 to 70 years), and controls 31 years (range 19 to 79 years). Age at injury ranged among SCI persons from 14 to 76 years (Md 28 year s), and among TBI persons from 16 to 56 years (Md 32 years). Half of t he SCI group (51%), 58% of the TBI group and 59% of the controls had a stable partner relationship at the time of the investigation. Many of these SCI and TBI relationships (38% and 55% respectively) were estab lished after injury, Both SCI and TBI persons showed significantly mor e depressive feelings compared with the controls. Perceived quality of life (global QL rating) was significantly lower in the SCI group comp ared with the controls, whereas the ratings of TBI persons and control s did not differ significantly, SCI and TBI persons did not differ sig nificantly in level of education, perceived duality of life or distres s. In all three groups, global quality-of-life ratings were significan tly lower among single persons compared to those with a partner relati onship. It was concluded that both SCI and TBI appear to affect overal l quality of life and mental well-being negatively. The number of part ner relationships contracted after-injury among both SCI and TBI perso ns indicates, however, that the injury is not a major barrier to estab lishing close partner relationships. Being in good spirits, that is, l ack of depressive feelings has a profound impact on the perception of a high quality of life in all three groups. For the SCI and TBI person s, a high level of physical and social independence were further posit ive determinants of a perceived high quality of life.