Spiritual well-being as predictor of quality of life for adults with paraplegia.

PURPOSE: The promotion of quality of life (QOL) and healthy development across the person's life span can result in long and meaningful lives. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between spiritual well-being (SWB), depression, and QOL for adults with paraplegia.

DESIGN

A descriptive correlational design was used for this study.

METHODS

A purposive sample of 75 participants completed the Ellison's SWB Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, and a QOL scale.

FINDINGS: Quality of life was significantly associated with SWB (r = .47, p = .01), and depression (r = -.59, p = .01), 43% of the variance in QOL was explained by age, gender, length of stay, SWB, and depression (F[5,69] = 10.45, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Participants with a strong sense of purpose or meaning in life were more likely to experience a higher QOL.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Rehabilitation nurses can help guide patients to the discovery of what brings purpose and meaning to their lives.