Geographic variation in participation for physically disabled adults: The contribution of area economic factors to employment after spinal cord injury

Soc Sci Med, 2012 · DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.06.010 · Published: October 1, 2012

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how the economic conditions of different areas affect whether adults with spinal cord injuries (SCI) are employed. Employment is a key part of participating in society. Data from a national registry of people with SCI was used, linking individual information with area-level economic measures from the 2000 US Census. The study looked at adults of working age living in the community. The study found that the likelihood of employment for adults with SCI varied depending on the area they lived in, and was linked to the area's socioeconomic status and how urban it was, but not the area's unemployment rate.

Study Duration

2000-2009

Participants

N=1,013 adults with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The likelihood of employment for adults with SCI varied by area.
2
Employment was associated with area socioeconomic status (SES) and urbanicity.
3
Area unemployment was not significantly associated with employment for adults with SCI.

Research Summary

This study investigates the role of area economic characteristics in predicting employment for adults with physical disabilities, specifically those with spinal cord injury (SCI). The study found that the likelihood of employment for adults with SCI varied by area and was associated with area SES and urbanicity, but not area unemployment. The findings suggest that area economic conditions may affect the feasibility of employment for persons who experience chronic physical disability during adulthood, limiting their full participation in society.

Practical Implications

Targeted Interventions

Direct more targeted interventions to underserved areas, such as rural and impoverished communities, to improve employment opportunities for individuals with SCI.

Individualized Planning

Clinicians and disability advocates should consider the congruence between individual goals and the opportunity structure of a given environment when assisting adults with acquired physical disabilities as they plan their return to the community.

Societal Approach

A societal approach is required for eliminating barriers and devising interventions to promote full inclusion for persons at all levels of ability.

Study Limitations

1
The study sample was not fully representative of adults with SCI in the US.
2
The analytic subsample is limited to two geographic regions and did not reflect the range of geographic diversity in area-level economic conditions found across the US.
3
The use of cross-sectional data limited the ability to assess selection effects, such as people migrating into certain areas based on factors such as job availability and accessibility.

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