Affiliations: Department of Rehabilitation, The University of
Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, TX, USA | Department of Counseling, School and Educational
Psychology, University at Buffalo-State, University of New York, NY, USA | Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special
Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA | Department of Rehabilitation Studies, East Carolina
University, Greenville, NC, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Fong Chan, Department of
Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education, University of
Wisconsin-Madison, 432 N. Murray St., Madison, WI 53706, USA. Tel.: +1 608 262
2137; E-mail: chan@education.wisc.edu
Abstract: Objective: To examine the effect of demographic, work disincentives,
and service variables on employment outcomes of persons with spinal cord injury
in state vocational rehabilitation agencies. Design: An ex post facto
design, using data mining as a statistical analysis strategy. Setting: State vocational rehabilitation agencies. Participants: 10,901 persons
with spinal cord injury whose cases were closed either as employed (54%) or
not employed (46%) by state vocational rehabilitation agencies in the fiscal
year 2001. Interventions: Vocational rehabilitation services. Main Outcome Measures: Measures of employment status, demographic characteristics,
work disincentives, and provision of vocational rehabilitation services were
extracted from the Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report
database. Results: The chi-squared automatic interaction detector (CHAID)
data mining analysis revealed that job placement services, work disincentives,
and case expenditures as the most important predictors of employment outcomes.
In addition, physical restoration, substantial counseling, and assistive
technology services all led to positive employment outcomes. Importantly, the
CHAID analysis segmented the sample into 45 mutually exclusive homogeneous end
groups, with a wide range of employment outcomes. The CHAID analysis indicated
that demographic variables interacted with rehabilitation services to affect
employment outcomes. Conclusions: The results confirmed substantial
counseling, assistive technology, and job placement and support services are
important to the return-to-work success of persons with SCI.
