Lisa Ottomanelli1,2, Lance L Goetz3, Scott D Barnett1, Eni Njoh1, Jaclyn Fishalow1. 1. James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital and Clinics, Tampa, Florida, USA. 2. Department of Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA. 3. Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine variables predictive of post-SCI return to employment and current employment among a large cohort of veterans with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) treated within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) SCI System of Care.Design: Cross sectional analysis of data obtained during in-person baseline interviews and follow-up phone interviews.Setting: Seven SCI Centers within Veteran Affairs Medical Centers.Participants: 1047 veterans with SCI receiving inpatient or outpatient care in VHA. Results: Only 29.8% were employed post-SCI, 27.9% reported employment within the immediate 5 years before the baseline interview, but only 9.2% reported current employment at the time of the baseline interview. Significant predictors of current employment among these veterans with SCI included recent employment experience, history of legal problems, duration of SCI, education, and life satisfaction.Conclusions: The baseline employment rate following SCI of a large, representative sample, was 29.8%. Greater duration of SCI predicted unemployment, likely due to the older age of this population. Additional years of education promoted current and post-SCI employment, while a history of legal problems was a barrier to employment.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine variables predictive of post-SCI return to employment and current employment among a large cohort of veterans with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) treated within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) SCI System of Care.Design: Cross sectional analysis of data obtained during in-person baseline interviews and follow-up phone interviews.Setting: Seven SCI Centers within Veteran Affairs Medical Centers.Participants: 1047 veterans with SCI receiving inpatient or outpatient care in VHA. Results: Only 29.8% were employed post-SCI, 27.9% reported employment within the immediate 5 years before the baseline interview, but only 9.2% reported current employment at the time of the baseline interview. Significant predictors of current employment among these veterans with SCI included recent employment experience, history of legal problems, duration of SCI, education, and life satisfaction.Conclusions: The baseline employment rate following SCI of a large, representative sample, was 29.8%. Greater duration of SCI predicted unemployment, likely due to the older age of this population. Additional years of education promoted current and post-SCI employment, while a history of legal problems was a barrier to employment.
Authors: Lisa Ottomanelli; Lance L Goetz; Alina Suris; Charles McGeough; Patricia L Sinnott; Rich Toscano; Scott D Barnett; Daisha J Cipher; Lisa M Lind; Thomas M Dixon; Sally Ann Holmes; Anthony J Kerrigan; Florian P Thomas Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2012-05 Impact factor: 3.966
Authors: M H Trivedi; A J Rush; H M Ibrahim; T J Carmody; M M Biggs; T Suppes; M L Crismon; K Shores-Wilson; M G Toprac; E B Dennehy; B Witte; T M Kashner Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2004-01 Impact factor: 7.723
Authors: Lisa Ottomanelli; Lance Goetz; Charles McGeough; Alina Suris; Jennifer Sippel; Patricia Sinnott; Todd H Wagner; Daisha J Cipher Journal: J Rehabil Res Dev Date: 2009