An Investigation of Quality of Life, Job Satisfaction, and the Return to Work Related Experiences of Women with Spinal Cord Injury
Open Access
- Author:
- LASHER, ELIZABETH J.
- Graduate Program:
- Counselor Education
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- March 03, 2008
- Committee Members:
- Brandon B Hunt, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Lisa M Conyers, Committee Member
Edgar Paul Yoder, Committee Member
Spencer G Niles, Committee Member - Keywords:
- Counselor Education
Rehabilitation
Job Satisfaction
Quality of Life
Spinal Cord Injury
Women with Spinal Cord Injury
Return to work - Abstract:
- This study explored the relationship between employment status, quality of life, and job satisfaction among 190 women with spinal cord injury. In general, the purpose of this study was to describe and gain an increased understanding of what it is like to be a woman with a spinal cord injury who has returned to work or may be considering (or attempting to) return to work. More specifically, this study was focused toward understanding the relationship that exists between a woman’s employment status and quality of life. In addition, for participants who were employed there was a desire to understand the relationship between job satisfaction and quality of life. Personal, work, home, and community factors that influenced perceptions of quality of life and job satisfaction for women with SCI were also investigated. This study also sought to understand barriers associated with a woman’s ability or inability to return to work. The Quality of Life Index (QLI), the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire-Long Form (MSQ), and a demographic questionnaire comprised the online survey. Results yielded significant relationships between quality of life and employment status, job satisfaction and whether one was employed in a job for which they were qualified, quality of life and whether one was employed in a job for which they were qualified, and quality of life and whether one desired to be employed. Results revealed that women with SCI who were employed had significantly higher scores on the QLI than did women with SCI who were unemployed. Women with SCI who were employed in positions for which they were qualified indicated significantly higher scores on the MSQ than did women with SCI who were employed in positions for which they were overqualified. In addition, women with SCI who were employed in positions for which they were qualified reported significantly higher scores on the QLI than did women with SCI who were employed in positions for which they were underqualified. Finally, women with SCI who were unemployed but desired to be employed reported significantly lower scores on the QLI than did women who were unemployed but did not desire to be employed. Limitations of this study and implications for practice, training, and research are also discussed.