Article

Few studies have examined life course differences in the employment
of Canadians with spinal cord injury (SCI). OBJECTIVE: To compare employment
participation of young/middle-aged and older adults with SCI and to examine the
association between employment and demographic and health factors, SCI-related
needs, and social role participation at the 2 life phases. METHODS: A sample of
young/middle-aged (18-54 years; n = 959) and older adults (55-64 years; n = 364)
with SCI was recruited as part of a larger Canadian community survey. Pre- and
postinjury employment were compared. Demographic and health factors, number of
unmet SCI needs, and social role participation were collected and compared by
life phase and employment status. Two multivariable logistic regression models
were conducted and compared for young/middle-aged and older adults. RESULTS:
Close to one-third of participants with SCI were working post injury (32%), a
decline from the 62% of respondents working prior to their injury. Participants
were more likely to work in less physically demanding job sectors including
business/administration or health/science/teaching. An examination of life phase
differences showed that young/middle-aged adults were more likely to be employed
post injury (36%) when compared to older respondents (12% employed) who were more
likely to report being retired (43%). Multivariable analyses revealed that for
young/middle-aged adults, being married, attaining a postsecondary education, and
having fewer unmet SCI needs were related to employment. Among older adults,
having a traumatic injury was related to involvement in paid work. For both
young/middle-aged and older adults, participating in more social roles was
related to working. CONCLUSION: A life course perspective is important to
understanding similarities and differences between young/middle-aged and older
adults with SCI in their employment participation. Tailored programs and policies
should be designed to promote labor force involvement at different phases of the
working life course.

Langue : ANGLAIS