Differences in Affect, Life Satisfaction, and Depression Between Successfully and Unsuccessfully Rehabilitated Persons With Spinal Cord Injuries

This study assessed whether persons with spinal cord injuries who were successfully rehabilitated differed from those who were not with regard to positive and negative affect, life satisfaction, and depression. An ex post facto research design compared persons with spinal cord injuries who were previously employed with persons with spinal cord injuries who were not employed after receiving services from a southeastern state Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services program. There were no significant differences between the two groups based on age, gender, race, current level of education, and time employed prior to their injury. The unsuccessfully rehabilitated had lower positive affect and higher negative affect, were less satisfied with life and more depressed, and had a higher percentage of cervical and lumbar injuries than the successfully rehabilitated. Positive psychotherapy techniques are recommended to see if they can decrease depression and improve satisfaction with life and positive affect, while decreasing negative affect.