Predictors of marital longevity after new spinal cord injury

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Study examined the relationship of demographic and injury characteristics, self-rated health, physical functioning, and life satisfaction to the duration of marriage 1 to 15 years after spinal cord injury (SCI) among individuals who were married at the time of injury. Survival analysis was chosen to determine the predictors related to marital longevity, which is defined as non-occurrence of divorce after injury. Potential predictor variables were demographics and injury characteristics, level of handicap, self-perceived health, and functional independence. A total of 2,327 subjects were included in the analyses. Results indicated at age at injury, being Caucasian versus African American, having a college versus high school education, having ‘other’ employment status versus being unemployed, and having higher social integration and improved or stable self-rated health versus poor health were all significant factors that delayed the time of divorce after injury. Contrary to expectations, level of injury, function, mobility and independence were not significant predictors of marriage longevity.

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