VCU RRTC

Krause, S.J., Anson, C.A. (1996). Employment after spinal cord injury: Relation to selected participant characteristics. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 77 (8), 737-743.

Employment after spinal cord injury: Relation to selected participant characteristics

Krause, S.J., Anson, C.A.

1996

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-9993(96)90250-6

https://proxy.library.vcu.edu/login?url=http://ac.els-cdn.com/S00039...   

Yes

No

Survey research

Return to gainful employment is recognized as a key indicator to recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act has reduced barriers to returning to employment. Some data has reported only 14 to 28% employment rates of people that were about 5 years post injury. Comparison in data is difficult due to varying definitions of employment.

This study aims to investigate the relationships between participant characteristics and employment outcomes after SCI.

A Multidimensional Adjustment Profile (MAP) was mailed to study participants. A stipend and copies of the results were offered to entice participants into participating.

Study sample was selected from the inpatient files at a Southeastern SCI hospital. Three hundred sixty two participants were selected in a stratified sample to have roughly equal numbers based on race, gender, and age at time of injury. The study sample maximized women, minorities, and people age 50 or over at time of injury onset. The average age at the time of study was 39 years with an average of 6 years passed since SCI onset. Fifty three percent had quadriplegia and 48% had complete injuries. Participants averaged 12.2 years of education, 1.4 of which were accomplished after the injury. There were 110 Caucasian men, 97 minority men, 126 Caucasian women, and 30 minority women.

The Multidimensional Adjustment Profile (MAP) was developed specifically for the current study. . Seven employment outcomes were utilized for this project: (1) work status at injury, (2) return to the preinjuty job, (3) remaining at the preinjury job, (4) current work status, (5) ever worked since injury, (6) total years worked since injury, and (7) hours per week spent working.

Participant characteristics and employment outcomes

Chi square analysis, t test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to assess the relationships between participant characteristics and employment outcomes.

The most successful employment outcomes were obtained by Caucasian women, persons up to the age of 29 years at injury, participants with incomplete injuries, and participants who had completed at least 16 years of education. The least successful outcomes were observed in minority men, participants age 50 years or older at injury, persons with complete quadriplegia, and participants with fewer than 12 years of education.

These findings suggest the need for professionals to target resources towards individuals that meet the characteristics associated with low employment outcomes.

Spinal cord injury (SCI)