title: Vocational rehabilitation service patterns and employment outcomes of people with epilepsy.
abstract: This study aimed to examine the association between vocational rehabilitation (VR) services and employment outcomes of people with epilepsy (PWE), after controlling for demographic covariates. Data was retrieved from the Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report (RSA-911) database for fiscal year (FY) 2011. Multivariate logistic regression was used to predict employment outcomes of PWE. Of the 2030 previously unemployed PWE who received services, 884 (43.5%) achieved successful competitive employment. Results indicate that higher education level and cost of VR services consumed were positively related to successful employment. In contrast, having co-occurring anxiety/depression, receiving cash benefits, or increasing time spent in the VR system was negatively associated with employment. Eight specific VR services (e.g., education, vocational training, and job search and placement assistance) were also found to be significant predictors of employment. Services provided by state VR agencies were proven to be beneficial in improving employment outcomes. PWE should be encouraged to pursue VR services to increase the chances of attaining employment. Health care providers should also become familiar with the array of VR services.
authors.affiliation: Michigan State University, United States. Electronic address: csung@msu.edu.
authors.forename: Connie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.affiliation: Hunter College, City University of New York, United States.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, United States.
authors.forename: Jana E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States.
authors.forename: Fong
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000639:trends; D004651:Employment / Q000639:trends*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Employment outcomes; Epilepsy; Vocational rehabilitation