Expectation of Engagement in Employment in 5 Years: Findings Among Participants With Spinal Cord Injury

The purpose of this study was to identify expectations of future engagement with employment among people with spinal cord injury (SCI), the underlying dimensions of engagement, and the relationship with demographic, SCI, and educational factors with engagement scales. Self-report data on the expectation of employment in 5 years were collected and analyzed from adult participants with traumatic SCI. Principal axis factor analysis with the varimax rotation was used to identify the underlying dimensions, and OLS was used to identify the relationship of demographic, SCI, and educational characteristics with the underlying dimensions. Most participants anticipated continuing to work about the same number of hours (61%), with 40% anticipating taking on more responsibility, 38% anticipating career advancement, and only 14% anticipating voluntary retirement. Factor analysis identified two underlying dimensions: job disengagement, measured by four items, and job engagement, measured by three items. Regression analysis indicated aging and years postinjury were highly related to both factors, with greater age and years postinjury related to disengagement. Completing a bachelor’s degree or higher was related to engagement. Non-Hispanic Blacks were more likely to have disengagement. Ambulatory participants were more likely to be engaged in employment. A relatively small number of items can easily measure individual expectations, particularly as they age with SCI.