Affiliations: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in
Rehabilitation and Social Integration (CIRRIS), Canada | School of Social Work, Université Laval,
Québec, Québec, Canada | Institut de réadaptation en déficience
physique de Québec (IRDPQ), Québec (Québec), Canada | Department of Rehabilitation, Université Laval,
Québec, Québec, Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Donna Anderson, PhD, Researcher,
Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration
(CIRRIS), Institut de réadaptation en déficience physique de Québec
(IRDPQ), 525 Boul Hamel, Quebec (Québec) G1M 2S8, Canada. Tel.: +1 418 529
9141 ext. 6111; Fax: +1 418 529 3548; E-mail: donna.anderson@cirris.ulaval.ca
Abstract: This paper presents a review of the literature of articles that
examined determinants of return to work, among persons who experience spinal
cord injury. Results of the review highlight the low rate of employment among
persons with spinal cord injury. A total of fourteen common factors that
influence professional reintegration were identified. These factors include:
education, type of employment, severity of the lesion, age, time since injury,
gender, marital status and social support, vocational counselling, medical
problems, employer's attitudes, race, psychological state, and environment.
While a number of variables associated with return to work were identified,
there exists great variability across studies. Consequently, no clear
conclusion on return to work can be drawn from the literature. This article
highlights factors that facilitate professional reintegration, identifies gaps
in the literature and suggest paths for future research.
