Piotr Kazimierz Urbański1, Youngdeok Kim2, Ryan Thomas Conners3, Anna Nadolska4, Tomasz Tasiemski4. 1. Department of Adapted Physical Activity, Poznań University of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland. piotr.u.awf@gmail.com. 2. Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. 3. Department of Kinesiology, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA. 4. Department of Adapted Physical Activity, Poznań University of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal study. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine level and variations of life satisfaction (LS) across the seasons in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Polish sample of persons with SCI. METHODS: The study included 56 persons with SCI, who repeatedly completed the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSaT-9), and a study-specific questionnaire across the four seasons in a calendar year. Mixed model analyses were performed to: (1) examine seasonal changes in LS; (2) explore the possible moderating factors on seasonal changes in LS. RESULTS: There were significant seasonal trends in overall and domain-specific LS scores; yet, these changes differed in terms of shape (i.e. linear vs. quadratic). In general, the highest LS scores occurred in spring across all domains, followed by a significant reduction in summer; yet, there were u-shape trends in LS domain scores for life as a whole, vocational, and financial situation and partner relations (P-for-quadratic trends ≤0.05). Five individual characteristics, i.e. place of living, education, gender, physical activity, and time since injury significantly moderated seasonal trends in LS scores (P's for interaction ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Life satisfaction in persons with SCI differs significantly in relation to different seasons throughout a year. The season of the year should be considered in future studies on LS and included in evaluating and projecting healthcare interventions or programs for persons with SCI.
STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal study. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine level and variations of life satisfaction (LS) across the seasons in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Polish sample of persons with SCI. METHODS: The study included 56 persons with SCI, who repeatedly completed the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSaT-9), and a study-specific questionnaire across the four seasons in a calendar year. Mixed model analyses were performed to: (1) examine seasonal changes in LS; (2) explore the possible moderating factors on seasonal changes in LS. RESULTS: There were significant seasonal trends in overall and domain-specific LS scores; yet, these changes differed in terms of shape (i.e. linear vs. quadratic). In general, the highest LS scores occurred in spring across all domains, followed by a significant reduction in summer; yet, there were u-shape trends in LS domain scores for life as a whole, vocational, and financial situation and partner relations (P-for-quadratic trends ≤0.05). Five individual characteristics, i.e. place of living, education, gender, physical activity, and time since injury significantly moderated seasonal trends in LS scores (P's for interaction ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Life satisfaction in persons with SCI differs significantly in relation to different seasons throughout a year. The season of the year should be considered in future studies on LS and included in evaluating and projecting healthcare interventions or programs for persons with SCI.