Life satisfaction in persons with spinal cord injury: a comparative investigation between Sweden and Japan

Study design: A cross-sectional and comparative investigation using the unified questionnaire. Objectives: To investigate the cultural (East Asian versus North European) differences in life satisfaction between long-term survivors of spinal cord injuries (SCI). Setting: Uppsala county in Sweden and Fukuoka prefecture in Japan. Methods: A questionnaire dealing with life satisfaction was prepared by the authors. It focused mainly on sexual life and accompanied a self-rating Barthel Index Score. The questionnaire was mailed to male SCI persons in the two communities, Uppsala county (Sweden) and Fukuoka prefecture (Japan). Forty (77%) Swedish and 85 (71%) Japanese SCI replied. Results: (1) Swedish SCI appeared to be more satisfied than Japanese SCI in general health, economy, social activity, social service, family life and sexual life. (2) Several life domains indicated significant difference in life satisfaction between with- and without-partner group in Japanese SCI. No life domains indicated significant difference in Swedish SCI. (3) No statistically significant difference was indicated in all of life domains between the degree of life satisfaction and interval since spinal cord damage. Conclusion: The more expanded cross-cultural study is expected to be helpful for discussing the QOL of SCI.