Stability of vocational interests after recent spinal cord injury

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Study determined the stability of vocational interests among people with spinal cord injury (SCI) over time using the 1994 Strong Interest Inventory, Form T317, a 317-item measure of vocational interests. Initial assessments were completed during inpatient rehabilitation an average of 50 days after SCI onset. Follow-up measures, collected by mail, were obtained an average of 16.6 months postinjury and 29.1 months postinjury. A total of 135 participants completed all 3 assessments. Comparison of scale means across 3 times of measurement indicated significant changes in 2 of 6 general occupational themes (GOT), 8 basic interest scales (BIS), and 2 special scales (leadership style, risk taking/adventure). With 1 exception, a linear trend indicating an increase in reported interests accounted for observed relationships. An age-by-time interaction occurred with 1 GOT and 3 BIS. The average stability coefficient was 0.61 for the GOT, 0.59 for the BIS, and 0.70 for the special scales. The average coefficients were somewhat lower for the oldest participants. Results indicate that vocational interests do not appear to be static when first measured during inpatient rehabilitation after SCI. Rather, they evolve with average increases on select themes more compatible with the limitations of SCI. Stability coefficients suggest that interests are likely to change more than indicated in earlier studies.

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