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Race-Ethnicity, Education, and Employment After Spinal Cord Injury

Krause, J. S., Saunders, L., Staten, D. — 2009-09-15

The objective of this article was to identify the relationship between race-ethnicity and employment after spinal cord injury (SCI), while evaluating interrelationships with gender, injury severity, and education. The authors used a cohort design using the most current status from a post-injury interview from the National SCI Statistical Center. Participants included 14,454 adults ages 18 to 64, at least 1 year post-injury, not currently students or homemakers, and with residual impairment. Primary outcome was self-reported gainful employment. A total of 26.8% were working, and Caucasians were most likely to work followed by Hispanics and African Americans. Education and injury severity were strong predictors of working but did not attenuate the relationship between race and working. African American women were more likely to work than African American men, but this relationship was not significant for other race groups. Further research is needed to identify modifiable risk factors that can decrease the gap in post-injury employment between African Americans and other races.

Health Benefits for Vocational Rehabilitation Consumers: Comparison of Access Rates With Workers in the General Population

Lustig, D. C., Strauser, D. R. — 2009-07-06

Access to health insurance is one of the critical aspects of securing employment for people with disabilities. This study investigated whether vocational rehabilitation consumers secured employment with an employer who offered health insurance at similar rates to workers in the general population. In general, the results show that vocational rehabilitation consumers had significantly lower health insurance access rates than workers in the general population. Implications for rehabilitation counselors are discussed.

Are Client-Counselor Ethnic/Racial Matches Associated With Successful Rehabilitation Outcomes?

Whitfield, H. W., Venable, R., Broussard, S. — 2009-06-08

The purpose of this study was to determine if client–counselor ethnic/racial matches were associated with successful vocational rehabilitation (VR) outcomes. There was no significant difference in acceptance rates for VR services. Client– counselor ethnic/racial matches had a significantly higher rehabilitation rate than client–counselor mismatches. Reasons for closure were examined with logistic regression analysis. "Achieved an employment outcome," "individual in institution," and closure for "all other reasons" were significantly associated with client–counselor matches. This study also examined the amount of time counselors took to determine eligibility, the amount of funds counselors expended on services, the amount of time applicants were in the VR program, and the weekly wages of applicants at case closure while controlling for disability and education at application. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed no significant differences. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Is the Ability to Ambulate Associated With Better Employment Outcomes in Participants With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury?

Krause, J. S. — 2008-12-29

The author compares current employment status after spinal cord injury between participants who were independent in ambulation (required no assistance from others) and those who were dependent in ambulation (required assistance from at least one other person to ambulate). Those who were independent of assistance from others in ambulation were significantly more likely to be employed. Rehabilitation counselors should consider the special needs and circumstances of those who ambulate with assistance.

Couple Support Schemata in Couples With and Without Spinal Cord Injury

Gilad, D., Lavee, Y. — 2008-12-16

This article describes the cognitive schemata of couples’ support relationships among 65 couples in which the husband had a long-term spinal cord injury and 65 couples without disability. The structure of the support relations schemata were examined by means of smallest-space analysis. Similarities between men and women in couples with and without disability reflect common themes in schemata of interpersonal support in couples, whereas disparities between the groups reflect differences in the life circumstances of the men with disability and their wives. It appears that in couples who are living with disability, the support needs contribute to the shaping of the cognitive representation of support in accordance with the situation.