title: Psychological variables associated with employment following spinal cord injury: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Spinal cord injury (SCI) research has highlighted links between psychological variables and employment outcome; however, there remains a need to consolidate the available heterogenous data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Meta-analytic techniques were used to examine and quantify differences in psychological functioning and employment status among adults with an acquired SCI. Fourteen observational studies (N = 9, 868 participants) were identified from an electronic database search. Standardised mean difference scores between employed and unemployed groups were calculated using Cohen's d effect sizes. Additionally, 95% confidence intervals, fail-safe Ns, percentage overlap scores and heterogeneity statistics were used to determine the significance of d .
  
  
  RESULTS
  Moderate to large and positive weighted effects were noted across three broad psychological constructs: affective experience or feelings (dw = 3.16), quality of life (dw = 1.06) and life satisfaction (dw = 0.70). However, the most compelling non-heterogeneous finding was associated with life satisfaction, a finding that was also not subject to publication bias. Inconsistent and weak associations between employment and individual measures of vocational attitude, self-efficacy, locus of control, adjustment and personality were also noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychological factors and attributes are linked to employment post-SCI; however, the available data are limited in quantity. Longitudinal research is also needed to determine whether these variables can help to preserve employment over time.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Dorstyn
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology*