The interrelationship between pain, life satisfaction and mental health in adults with traumatic spinal cord injury, in the context of a developing country

This study investigates how pain, satisfaction with life, and mental health (anxiety and depression) are connected in adults with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in South Africa. It found that higher pain levels were linked to lower life satisfaction and increased anxiety and depression. Also, feeling satisfied with life can protect against the negative effects of pain on mental health. Improving life satisfaction may reduce pain and improve mental well-being in people with TSCI.

• 1
  Pain (both intensity and how much it interferes with life) is significantly associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety, and lower life satisfaction.
• 2
  Life satisfaction is directly linked to depression and anxiety, suggesting that being satisfied with life itself improves psychological well-being.
• 3
  Life satisfaction acts as a buffer, lessening the impact of pain intensity on both depression and anxiety. It also reduces the effect of pain interference on depression.