Factors Related to Dropout From the Labor Force Less Than 24 Months Cumulative Employment After Spinal Cord Injury

Our purpose was to identify factors related to discontinuing employment prior to working two full years after the onset of spinal cord injury (SCI), addressing the knowledge gap related to job retention beyond the traditional 90-day probationary period. Adult participants with traumatic SCI ( n = 2,253) completed a self-report measure of employment history. We used a probit model that simultaneously estimated predictors of post-SCI employment obtaining and retaining employment through 2 years. There was a decreased probability of obtaining post-SCI employment with older age, fewer years since SCI onset, more severe SCI, fewer years of education, employment in production/transportation/material moving and greater barriers related to SCI/job fit, motivation/confidence, and resources. The highest probability of job loss was observed among women, those with lower post-SCI earnings, and employment in sales, or service occupations. Only health barriers were significantly related to maintaining employment. Vocational counselors need to emphasize placement in managerial and professional occupations that carry more income to minimize job loss by 2 years. Poor health must be considered in establishing realistic and attainable employment goals.