Comparison of Psychological Distress and Life Satisfaction in Clients of Spinal Cord Injury and Healthy Individuals

Introduction: Spinal cord injuries are one of the most serious injuries that cause many side effects. The aim of this study was to compare psychological distress and life satisfaction in spinal cord injury seekers and healthy individuals. Methods: The present study was a descriptive-comparative study. The statistical population of the present study included all spinal disabled and healthy people in Zanjan. 122 people with spinal cord disabilities were selected by simple random sampling method and 125 healthy people were selected by convenience sampling. Subjects in the demographic questionnaire answered the “Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale” and the “Satisfaction with Life Scale”. Content validity was measured by qualitative method and reliability by internal consistency method by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS. 24. Results: Spinal cord patients have higher stress and anxiety than healthy individuals (0.01), but no statistically significant difference was observed in depression between the two groups. Life satisfaction of the spinal cord group is lower than the healthy group (0.01). Conclusions: The physical condition of people with spinal cord injuries can affect their psychological state. It is suggested that the officials and people who are in contact with these people empower them psychologically in person by conducting training classes for spinal cord injury clients in person and virtually.