STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional; questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the differences in life satisfaction, quality, value and meaning of life, and mood between Chinese and British people with tetraplegia after the completion of rehabilitation. This study was undertaken at the China Rehabilitation Research Centre, Beijing, China and the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, United Kingdom.

METHOD

Self-report questionnaires were completed by 44 people with tetraplegia; 22 from China and 22 from the United Kingdom. The results of life satisfaction, quality, value and meaning of life, anxiety and depression were analysed.

RESULTS

The British group were significantly more satisfied than the Chinese group with their vocational situation, their financial situation and their family life. The British group was more positive than the Chinese group towards the value they placed on their life and had lower mood scores. No significant differences were identified between the two groups in life as a whole, self-care, leisure situation, sexual life, partnership relations, contact with friends, meaning of life and quality of life.

CONCLUSION

To improve the value placed on life by people with tetraplegia in China, a future emphasis of rehabilitation should include addressing vocational, financial and family-life issues.