Article

OBJECTIVES: To assess the presence of depressive symptoms among older adults with
long-term spinal cord injury and investigate the association with
sociodemographic and injury characteristics; and to determine how potentially
modifiable factors, i.e. secondary health conditions, sense of coherence, coping
strategies and leisure-time physical activity, are associated with depressive
symptoms. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS:
A total of 122 individuals
(70% men, injury levels C1-L5, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment
Scale A-D), mean age 63 years, mean time since injury 24 years. METHODS: Data
from the Swedish Aging with Spinal Cord Injury Study, collected using the
Geriatric Depression Scale-15, the 13-item Sense of Coherence Scale, the Spinal
Cord Lesion-related Coping Strategies Questionnaire and the Physical Activity
Recall Assessment for people with Spinal Cord Injury. Associations were analysed
using multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: A total of 29% reported
clinically relevant depressive symptoms and 5% reported probable depression.
Sense of coherence, the coping strategy Acceptance, neuropathic pain and
leisure-time physical activity explained 53% of the variance in depressive
symptoms. CONCLUSION: Older adults with long-term spinal cord injury report a low
presence of probable depression. Mental health may be supported through
rehabilitation that strengthens the ability to understand and confront life
stressors, promotes acceptance of the injury, provides pain management and
encourages participation in leisure-time physical activity.

Langue : ANGLAIS