Association Between Anxiety Symptoms, Depression Symptoms, and Life Satisfaction Among Individuals 1 Year After Spinal Cord Injury: Findings From the SCIRehab Project

Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arrct.2022.100211 · Published: January 1, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Mental Health Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study examines how anxiety and depression symptoms relate to life satisfaction in people one year after a spinal cord injury (SCI). It uses data from the SCIRehab Project to understand these relationships. The research looks at whether depression symptoms change the link between anxiety symptoms and life satisfaction. The interaction between anxiety and depression symptoms was tested because of the strong relationship between anxiety and depression. The study found that anxiety symptoms were associated with lower life satisfaction, especially when considering the level of depression symptoms. In clinical settings, both anxiety and depression symptoms should be monitored, measured, and treated together to optimally improve life satisfaction for persons with SCI.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

940 persons with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional analysis

Key Findings

1
Unadjusted analyses showed anxiety symptoms were associated with decreased life satisfaction for individuals with SCI.
2
There was a moderating effect of depression symptoms on the association between anxiety symptoms and life satisfaction. Persons with anxiety symptoms had lower life satisfaction scores at lower levels of depression symptoms but higher life satisfaction scores at higher levels of depression symptoms than persons with no anxiety.
3
Having anxiety symptoms became signiﬁcantly associated with lower life satisfaction scores, as were depression symptoms and the interaction between the 2.

Research Summary

This study investigated the relationship between anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction in individuals one year after a spinal cord injury (SCI) using data from the SCIRehab Project. The findings suggest that depression symptoms moderate the association between anxiety symptoms and life satisfaction, indicating a complex interplay between these factors. The study concludes that both anxiety and depression should be monitored and treated together in clinical settings to improve life satisfaction for individuals with SCI, prioritizing interventions with transdiagnostic effects.

Practical Implications

Clinical Monitoring

Clinicians should measure both anxiety and depression to capture psychological distress in persons with SCI.

Integrated Treatment

When treating anxiety or depression, both should be monitored to optimally improve life satisfaction.

Transdiagnostic Interventions

Prioritize interventions that have transdiagnostic effects, measuring response to treatment in both anxiety and depression.

Study Limitations

1
Data was collected between 2007 and 2009, which may not represent all persons with SCI today.
2
Those persons lost to follow-up included those who were younger, had less education, and had lower motor/cognitive FIM scores.
3
The SCIRehab Project questionnaire only measured 2 of the 7 GAD questions over 2 weeks and may over/underestimate anxiety presence.

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