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

This study looks at what helps veterans with spinal cord injuries (SCI) get and keep jobs. It's important because having a job can improve their health, well-being, and independence. The researchers looked at information from over a thousand veterans getting care in VA hospitals. They wanted to see what things, like education or past job history, made it more likely for someone to be working after their injury. The study found that only a small number of veterans were employed. Things like having a recent job, a clean legal record, more education, and being happy with life made it more likely they were currently employed.

• 1
  The baseline employment rate following SCI was 29.8%.
• 2
  Greater duration of SCI predicted unemployment, likely due to the older age of this population.
• 3
  Additional years of education promoted current and post-SCI employment, while a history of legal problems was a barrier to employment.