The relation between VR services and employment outcomes of individuals with traumatic brain injury

Journal of Rehabilitation,  July-Sept, 2003  by David Gamble,  Corey L. Moore

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Conclusions

In summary, this investigation of the relation between VR services and employment outcomes of persons with TBI supports three conclusions: (a) College, counseling/guidance, and job placement services were significant positive predictors of closure status for the sample; (b) work adjustment services were inversely related to weekly earnings for competitively employed consumers in this study; and (c) assessment, college, and job placement services interacted significantly on weekly earnings for competitively employed consumers in this study. It was also found that job placement was the most important positive predictor of closure status for the sample. Thus, job placement should receive greater emphasis in rehabilitation education and training. Finally, college training benefited the sample considerably, yet it was observed that a limited number of consumers received this service.

As a broad generalization, these conclusions may be helpful to VR professionals and their clients with TBI. These findings, however, should be considered within the context of the limitations of the study. Additional research is undoubtedly needed to assess the relationship between VR services and employment outcomes of individuals with TBI.

Table 1
Services Received by the Sample

Service Received      Frequency   Percent

Assessment
No                       138        12.9
Yes                      935        87.1

College
No                       973        90.7
Yes                      100         9.3

Counseling/Guidance
No                       120        11.2
Yes                      953        88.8

Job Placement
No                       730        68
Yes                      343        32

Restoration
No                       700        65.2
Yes                      373        34.8

Work Adjustment
No                       824        76.8
Yes                      249        23.2

N = 1,073

Table 2

Logistic Regression Analysis for Service Variables on Closure Status
for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury

Service                                                      95%
Variable                     Odds Ratio                  Confidence
                        B       (OR)      df     p      Interval (OR)

Assessment            -.22       .81      1    .341        .52-1.26
College               1.65      5.21      1    .000 *     2.95-9.19
Counseling/Guidance   1.11      3.03      1    .000 *     1.74-5.28
Job Placement         3.03     20.77      1    .000 *    13.89-31.07
Restoration           -.15       .86      1    .388        .62-1.21
Work Adjustment       -.50       .61      1    .015 *      .41-.91

N = 1,073

* p < .05

Table 3

Summary Statistics on Weekly Earnings for Competitively Employed
Clients by VR Services

Service                                Low   High   Mdn
Variable              Category    n    ($)    ($)   ($)      SD ($)

Assessment               No       65    87    999   250      217.27
                         Yes     456    12    999   200      146.09

College                  No      440    12    999   200      157.20
                         Yes      81    30    999   274      160.08

Counseling/Guidance      No       19    16    368   200       94.73
                         Yes     502    12    999   210      161.27

Job Placement            No      216    16    999   225.50   181.72
                         Yes     305    12    999   200      139.41

Restoration              No      330    15    999   210      164.65
                         Yes     191    12    999   204      150.43

Work Adjustment          No      390    12    999   230      166.39
                         Yes     131    21    696   173      124.62

n= 521

* Note: Code 999 was entered into the weekly earnings record position
if a customer had earnings of $999 or more.