Effectiveness of a comprehensive, manualized intervention for improving productivity and employability following brain injury

Janet P. Niemeier, Shy M. Degrace, Lindsay F. Farrar, Jessica S. Ketchum, Alice J. Berman, Jason A. Young

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Unemployment rates continue to hover at 39% for persons with brain injury because of persistent neurobehavioral deficits that limit their employability. This paper reports findings of a prospective, repeated measures design and controlled trial of a 20-session, manualized, employability-enhancing intervention for community-dwelling persons with acquired brain injury attending six work-centered clubhouses. A total of 71 clubhouse members were assigned, in order of their signing up to participate in the study, to either receive the 20 intervention sessions or to be in a waiting control group. Employment and productivity status were measured pre- and post-treatment. Analyses revealed modestly significant treatment effects for employment status and productivity. The program also appears to have a positive effect on job stability. These results were moderated by whether the participant had disability income and their ratings, by clubhouse staff, of their employability. Persons who had disability income and had high employability ratings from staff were less likely to be employed following treatment. There was not a significant difference between treatment and control participants in work-related knowledge, employability ratings, or a measure of effort in the rest of the clubhouse program activities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)167-179
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Vocational Rehabilitation
Volume33
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Brain injury
  • employability
  • intervention
  • rehabilitation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Rehabilitation
  • Occupational Therapy

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