Article

OBJECTIVES: To determine in adults with
pediatric-onset spinal cord injury (SCI) employment outcomes, longitudinal
changes in employment over time and changes in psychosocial outcomes associated
with employment status. SETTING: Community setting. METHODS: Adults who had
sustained a SCI before 19 years of age and had completed at least three
consecutive annual interviews were included in the study. Generalized estimating
equation models were formulated to obtain odds ratio (OR) of change in employment
status and outcomes over time. RESULTS: Total 1691 interviews were conducted in
283 participants, 182 men and 101 women (88% Caucasian; age at baseline,
27.3+/-3.7 years; duration at baseline, 12.7+/-5.0 years). At the last interview
(age, 34.4+/-5.2 years; duration, 19.9+/-6.1 years), 49.5% were employed and
47.0% had a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree. There was no significant
change in employment status over time (OR 1.01, confidence interval (CI)
0.98-1.04). Odds of employment increased over time in participants who were women
(1.04, CI 1.00-1.08), married (1.05, CI 1.02-1.08) and attained baccalaureate
(1.03, CI 1.00-1.07) or post-baccalaureate (1.05, CI 1.02-1.08) degree.
Employment odds decreased with occurrence of autonomic dysreflexia (0.80, CI
0.65-0.99), spasticity (0.80, CI 0.59-0.99) or chronic medical condition (0.83,
CI 0.71-0.98). Life satisfaction scores increased over time in those who remained
employed (1.11, CI 1.01-1.22); odds of depression increased over time in those
who remained unemployed (1.13, CI 1.04-1.23). CONCLUSION: Employment status
remained relatively stable in adults with pediatric-onset SCI; however, changes in employment were associated with education, secondary health conditions and psychosocial well-being.
- Enfant

Langue : ANGLAIS