Impact of health behaviors and health management on employment after SCI: Psychological health and health management

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Study examined the impact of psychological functioning and health management behaviors on employment from the perspective of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who were employed at least once following injury. Six focus groups were conducted at 2 sites with 44 participants who were at least 10 years post SCI. All participants had been employed at some point since injury. Heterogeneous and homogeneous groups were delineated based on specific characteristics, such as education, gender, or race. Group sessions followed a semi-structured interview format with questions about personal, environmental, and policy related factors influencing employment following SCI. All group sessions were recorded, transcribed, and coded into conceptual categories to identify topics, themes, and patterns and inferences were drawn about their meaning. Four themes related to psychological health and health management were identified: (1) adjustment and dealing with emotional reactions, (2) gaining self-confidence, (3) preventing burnout, and (4) attitudes and perspectives. Most themes reflected issues that varied based on severity of injury as well as stage of employment. The findings suggest that individuals with SCI who are successful in working following injury must determine how to perform the behaviors necessary to manage their health and prevent emotional or physical complications. The emotional consequences of SCI must be recognized and addressed and specific behaviors enacted in order to optimize employment outcomes.

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