Factors associated with past and current employment of veterans with spinal cord injury.

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.