| 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: |
https://doi.org/10.1080/10790268.2006.11753886
|
| Full text: |
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10790268.2006.11753886
|
| Peer-reviewed? |
Yes
|
| NIDILRR-funded? |
No
|
|
Research design:
|
Database mining
|
| 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 and 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. |