| Citation: |
Kent, M.I., and Dorstyn, D.S. (2014). Psychological variables associated with employment
following spinal cord injury: a meta-analysis.
Spinal Cord, 52
(10),
722-728.
|
| Title: |
Psychological variables associated with employment
following spinal cord injury: a meta-analysis |
| Authors: |
Kent, M.I., and Dorstyn, D.S. |
| Year: |
2014 |
|
Journal/Publication:
|
Spinal Cord |
| Publisher: |
International Spinal Cord Society |
| DOI: |
https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2014.92
|
| Full text: |
http://www.nature.com/sc/journal/v52/n10/full/sc201492a.html?foxtro...
|
PDF
|
| Peer-reviewed? |
Yes
|
| NIDILRR-funded? |
Yes
|
|
Research design:
|
Systematic review / meta-analysis
|
| Background: |
Many experiments and studies have been performed on SCI patients relating to how gaining employment improves their psychological outlook. However, there is no consistent methodology between many of these studies, and their definitions of employment as well as their measurement of psychological factors vary as well. |
|
Purpose:
|
The purpose of this meta-analysis was to consolidate available data about links between employment and psychological variables in SCI patients. |
|
Setting:
|
The studies researched for this analysis were taken from multiple databases of medical science, and came from several different countries: The US (10 studies), Australia (2 studies), as well as Canada and Norway (1 study each). |
|
Study sample: |
The study sample was of 16 research studies performed on a grand total of 9868 participants. |
|
Data collection and analysis:
|
The data obtained was run through several types of analysis to test the independance of the data and to measure how large of an effect psychological factors had in each study. The results were run through a 95% confidence level test, a percentage overlap test, a statistical analysis to determine how strong the findings were, and how many studies would theoretically be necessary to prove them wrong. |
|
Findings:
|
It was found that employment produces significant positive effects on a person's affective experience, quality of life, and life satisfaction. This was backed up by previous literature. However, in contrast to other studies, it was found that the locus of control was unaffected by employment. The reason for this is not yet known. |
|
Conclusions:
|
Psychological variables are linked to employment in those with SCIs, but more research is necessary as data is limited. |
