Modifiable Sociostructural and Environmental Factors That Impact the Health and Quality of Life of People With Spinal Cord Injury: A Scoping Review

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this scoping review was to identify the modifiable factors that impact the health and quality of life (QOL) of community-dwelling people with spinal cord injury (SCI).MethodsEmpirical journal articles were identified using three academic databases: CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE with Full Text, and PsycINFO. Full-text journal articlesincluded studies of participants who were community-dwelling with traumatic or nontraumatic SCI and were over the age of 18 years without cognitive impairment; published between 2000 and 2021; focused on modifiable factors impacting health and QOL; and conducted inAustralia, Europe, orNorth America. A data table was used to extract article information including authors, year of publication, country, sample, design and methods, purpose/objectives, and main findings. Qualitative data analysis software was used to categorize major findings inductively through content analysis.ResultsThirty-one peer-reviewed articles consisting of qualitive, quantitative, and mixed-methods study design were included. This scoping review revealed modifiable factors that impact the health and QOL of community-dwelling people with SCI: sociostructural factors (social attitudes, health care access, information access, and funding and policies) and environmental factors (built environment, housing, transportation, assistive technology, and natural environment).ConclusionFuture research should examine the influence of the modifiable factors on health and QOL using qualitative inquiry, adopting a community-based participatory research approach, and considering the implications of individual characteristics and resources.