A 20-year longitudinal perspective on the vocational experiences of persons with spinal cord injury | Knowledge Translation for Employment Research Center

Authors:	Cullen, N., Chundamala, J., Bayley, M., & Jutai, J.
Year Published	2000
Publication	Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin
Volume	43
Number	3
Pages	122-133
Publisher	Hammill Institute on Disabilities
Background	For many years, researchers have been interested in understanding the vocational experiences of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Their studies have helped build a body of knowledge regarding how frequently people with SCI become employed and what personal characteristics are related to successful outcomes. Re-entry into the workforce is considered a primary marker of rehabilitation success, both because of the value that society places on productivity and the fact that, for many people, work is linked to psycho-social and medical adjustment (Krause, 1990, 1991). Research findings have helped rehabilitation workers provide appropriate counseling and services to individuals with new SCI.
Purpose	The vocational experiences of 50 individuals 22 to 45 years after a spinal cord injury are recounted based on interviews conducted in 1974 and 1994.
Setting	Longitudinal study 22-45 years post spinal cord injury.
Sample	50 individuals with spinal cord injury.
Data Collection	Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected, including Life Story Interviews and work experience data.
Control	There was no control or comparison condition.
Findings	All but 7 participants have engaged in remunerative employment. At the time of the last interview, 58% were working full time and 16% were working part time.
Conclusions	Factors that contributed to the vocational accomplishments of this sample include early work experiences, comprehensive rehabilitation services, and work ethic.
URL	http://rcb.sagepub.com/content/43/3/122.full.pdf
Disabilities
Populations	Male & Female
Outcomes	Full-time employment \| Part-time employment
NIDILRR Funded	Not Reported
Research Design	Observational
Peer Reviewed	Yes

Year Published

2000

Publication

Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin

Volume

43

Number

3

Pages

122-133

Publisher

Hammill Institute on Disabilities

Background

For many years, researchers have been interested in understanding the vocational experiences of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Their studies have helped build a body of knowledge regarding how frequently people with SCI become employed and what personal characteristics are related to successful outcomes. Re-entry into the workforce is considered a primary marker of rehabilitation success, both because of the value that society places on productivity and the fact that, for many people, work is linked to psycho-social and medical adjustment (Krause, 1990, 1991). Research findings have helped rehabilitation workers provide appropriate counseling and services to individuals with new SCI.

Purpose

The vocational experiences of 50 individuals 22 to 45 years after a spinal cord injury are recounted based on interviews conducted in 1974 and 1994.

Setting

Longitudinal study 22-45 years post spinal cord injury.

Sample

50 individuals with spinal cord injury.

Data Collection

Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected, including Life Story Interviews and work experience data.

Control

There was no control or comparison condition.

Findings

All but 7 participants have engaged in remunerative employment. At the time of the last interview, 58% were working full time and 16% were working part time.

Conclusions

Factors that contributed to the vocational accomplishments of this sample include early work experiences, comprehensive rehabilitation services, and work ethic.

URL

http://rcb.sagepub.com/content/43/3/122.full.pdf

Disabilities

Populations

Male & Female

Outcomes

Full-time employment | Part-time employment

NIDILRR Funded

Not Reported

Research Design

Observational

Peer Reviewed

Yes