Journal Article Details
Citation:
Pflaum, C., McCollister, G., Strauss, D.J., Shavelle, R.M., & DeVivo, M.J. (2006). Worklife after traumatic spinal cord injury.
The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 29
(4),
377-386.
Title:
Worklife after traumatic spinal cord injury
Authors:
Pflaum, C., McCollister, G., Strauss, D.J., Shavelle, R.M., & DeVivo, M.J.
Year:
2006
Journal/Publication:
The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine
Publisher:
DOI:
Full text:
Peer-reviewed?
Yes
NIDILRR-funded?
No
Research design:
Database mining
Structured abstract:
Background:
Previous research into the worklife of persons with a spinal cord injury (SCI) relied on flawed methodology. The use of databases with self-reported disability data leads to inherent problems with the data. The current study aimed to use an objective dataset with a medical measure of physical condition in order to address a research question not previously discussed in the literature.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to estimate worklife expectancy after SCI and to establish a model for doing so for future research.
Study sample:
The sample consisted of individuals enrolled in the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center database from 1973-2000. The sample included 20,143 individuals that were mostly white (72%), male (82%), and possessed a high school diploma as the highest level of education (61%).
Control or comparison condition:
Post injury employment rates and worklife expectancy were the comparison conditions.
Data collection & analysis:
Data was collected during initial hospitalization and during an annual evaluation-thus it was tracked longitudinally. Data related to demographics, injury, and employment status was collected. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the target variables.
Findings:
Being younger, white, more educated, married, having a non-violent cause of SCI, having a previous employment history, and other factors were all associated with higher employment rate.
Conclusions:
The favorable characteristics described in the findings improve worklife for individuals for SCI.
Disabilities served:
Spinal cord injury (SCI)
Outcomes:
Employment acquisition