title: Work participation among middle-aged persons with cerebral palsy or spina bifida--a longitudinal study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most studies of work participation among persons with cerebral palsy (CP) or spina bifida (SB) have focused on young adults, little is known about older adults.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare work participation in 2009 with 1997 (98).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups of persons with CP or SB in Gothenburg, Sweden with an IQ above 70 were interviewed using a structured questionnaire regarding work participation. Group (A) was studied in 1983 (n = 55), in 1997 (n = 42) and in 2009 (n = 28). Group (B) was studied in 1998 (n = 30) and in 2009 (n = 25). In this study, the persons interviewed in 2009 were compared with their own data from 1997 (8), with a non-parametric test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Work participation had significantly decreased (p < 0.004) since 1997 (8); more persons worked part time or had stopped working. Thirty-eight percent had continued their education during 1997 (8)-2009, most of them worked. Of 34 persons working in 2009, 56% had wage subsidies, an increase from 42% in 1997 (8). Of the persons who worked and had continued their education, 37.5% had wage subsidies while, among persons without continued education, 72% had this support. Transportation to work functioned but not as well as in 1997 (8). More persons used transportation for people with a disability in 2009 than in 1997 (8) and criticism was expressed about the transportation system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results showed that work participation for middle-aged persons with CP or SB without intellectual disability decreased with age but continued education and wage subsidies facilitated work participation.
authors.affiliation: Research group for Rehabilitation Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Social Work, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: Marie.Tornbom@neuro.gu.se.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Törnbom
authors.affiliation: Research group for Rehabilitation Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ulrica
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jonsson
authors.affiliation: Research group for Rehabilitation Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, The Medical Faculty, Oslo University, Norway.
authors.forename: Katharina S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Sunnerhagen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014186:Transportation; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cerebral palsy; Education; Employment; Spina bifida; Work