Employment, health outcomes, and life satisfaction after spinal cord injury: comparison of veterans and nonveterans.

ABSTRACT: STUDY DESIGN:Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE:To explore differences between veterans and nonveterans with spinal cord injury (SCI) for employment, health, and satisfaction with life outcomes after controlling for demographic and injury characteristics. SETTING:Hospitals in the Spinal Cord Injury Model System of care. METHODS:A total of 9754 (85% nonveterans and 15% veterans) adults with traumatic SCI interviewed from 2000 and 2015 and completed follow-up years 1, 5, and 10 were included in this study. Employment status and the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique-Short Form (CHART-SF) measured employment. The SF-36 for self-perceived health status, CHART-SF, and rehospitalization determined health outcomes. Satisfaction with life was measured by the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Secondary data analyses using ?2, t-tests, and generalized estimating equations (GEEs) model to determine group differences with control of demographic and injury characteristics. RESULTS:There were no significant differences for employment and SWL between nonveterans and veterans. There were some differences in health outcomes; whereas, veterans had better physical independence and mobility compared with nonveterans. CONCLUSION:Interventions for both groups should target adults with a disability from SCI, be customized for varying levels of injury that address differences in healthcare systems, demographic backgrounds, economic resources, disincentives, and motivation.

SUBMITTER: Gary KW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6949385 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature