Residential Mobility and Reasons for Moving Among People Living With Spinal Cord Injury: Results of a Multisite Survey Study

Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2023 · DOI: 10.46292/sci23-00030 · Published: September 1, 2023

Simple Explanation

Many individuals with spinal cord injuries encounter difficulties in finding accessible and affordable housing and neighborhoods. Living conditions that do not accommodate the needs of a person with a disability can limit their independence and integration into the community, which are crucial for their long-term health and well-being. Frequent residential relocation after injury is common among people with SCI. A study of newly injured people found that over 50% reported needing to move after discharge from acute rehabilitation and many temporarily relocated to the homes of family members. This study explores residential mobility patterns, the annual move rate, and reasons for moving among a community-living sample of adults with SCI.

Study Duration

July 2017 and October 2020

Participants

690 community-living adults with SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The annual move rate for adults with SCI was 16.4%, and most moves were within the same county (56.6%).
2
Recent movers were more likely to be young adults, be newly injured, and have low socioeconomic status.
3
Housing quality, accessibility, and family were more frequently reported motivations for moving compared to employment.

Research Summary

This study examined residential mobility patterns, move rates, and reasons for moving among adults with SCI. Data was collected via survey from 690 participants at six SCI Model Systems centers between 2017 and 2020. The study found an annual move rate of 16.4% among adults with SCI, with most moves occurring within the same county. Recent movers tended to be younger, newly injured, and of lower socioeconomic status. Motivations for moving included housing quality, accessibility, and family, with age-related differences observed in the primary reasons for relocation. The annual move rate was similar between the SCI and general population samples.

Practical Implications

Targeted Support Services

Social services may need to target people with SCI and other disabilities to achieve housing and independent community-living goals sooner to maximize quality of life for this population.

Policy Implications

Public policy that addresses the need for more affordable and accessible housing options for people living with disabilities in the United States may be important for improving independent community living.

Further Research

Future studies should incorporate measures of residential mobility and duration, as well as longitudinal data, to address how health, disability, and basic needs like housing and health care shape outcomes over time.

Study Limitations

1
Participants who have moved and move often may be underrepresented.
2
Study excluded people living in long-term care settings, which may also result in an underrepresentation of the annual move rate.
3
The SCI survey data was collected in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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