Research Database: Article Details

Citation:  Krause, J.S., Dismuke-Greer, C.E., Jarnecke, M., & DiPiro, N.D. (2022). Career satisfaction among working age individuals with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 57 (1), 33-40.
Title:  Career satisfaction among working age individuals with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury
Authors:  Krause, J.S., Dismuke-Greer, C.E., Jarnecke, M., & DiPiro, N.D.
Year:  2022
Journal/Publication:  Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation
Publisher:  IOS Press
DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-221196
Full text:  https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-vocational-rehabil...   
Peer-reviewed?  No
NIDILRR-funded?  Yes

Structured abstract:

Background:  Joint studies of multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injury (SCI), both types of spinal cord dysfunction, have identified barriers and facilitators to employment and key outcomes including earnings and job benefits. However, there has been an absence of research on satisfaction with employment over one’s career. Such knowledge would help to establish the foundation for targeted vocational rehabilitation interventions. as well as differences in quality of employment outcomes, establishing the foundation for targeted vocational rehabilitation interventions.
Purpose:  Identify and quantify demographic, educational, vocational, and functional characteristics associated with career satisfaction, a quality employment outcome, among people with MS and SCI.
Data collection and analysis:  There were a total of 3,371 participants, 1,229 with MS and 2,142 with SCI, all of whom were in the traditional working age range (
Findings:  Participants who were gainfully employed and those who had left the labor force (unemployed with no hopes to return to work), reported higher career satisfaction than those who were unemployed and hoping to return to work. Higher career satisfaction scores were associated with more formal education and having worked in management/professional, natural resources, or service occupations. Higher scores were also observed among those older, not single, and who had fewer functional deficits. No differences were identified as a function of diagnosis, race-ethnicity, sex, or time since injury/diagnosis.
Conclusions:  Career satisfaction was more strongly related to educational attainment, vocational history, and labor force participation, than to demographic and disability factors. Vocational counselors should target those still in the labor force for skills development, job retention, and reacquisition to promote career satisfaction.

Disabilities served:  Multiple sclerosis
Spinal cord injury (SCI)
Interventions:  Vocational rehabilitation