The Role of Mentors for People With Spinal Cord Injury and the Return-to-Work Process

PURPOSE: National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC; 2016) data estimate that there are approximately 17,000 new spinal cord injuries (SCIs) each year. By 1 yr postinjury, only 12% of persons with SCI are employed, and by 20 yr postinjury, approximately one-third are employed (NSCISC, 2016). Unemployment continues to be a significant problem for persons with SCI, causing adverse effects on their quality of life. Little research exists pertaining to the role of mentors for persons with SCI and their return-to-work process. This qualitative study explored the role of mentors and people with SCI in the return-to-work process through an online survey of open-ended questions.

METHOD: Participants were solicited with the United Spinal Association’s assistance and through SCI Facebook support groups, Twitter, and word of mouth. Data were analyzed using grounded theory. Fifty-two people responded to the survey. Thirty-five answered only the demographics questions. Seventeen completed the open-ended survey questions. Aggregate data were downloaded from SurveyMonkey (San Mateo, CA) into a spreadsheet for content analysis. A team of three researchers analyzed the data using grounded theory until saturation was reached. An experienced qualitative researcher reviewed the data. The responses were coded as a team using a deductive, iterative process to distinguish common themes. Multiple researchers and data collection from multiple sources ensured rigor, trustworthiness, and triangulation.

RESULTS: The following themes emerged: Mentor served as a role model and motivation, mentor shared and provided resources, mentor provided support, mentor was not effective, mentor was good for networking and provided encouragement, increasing self-efficacy, and mentor had little to no impact. Research findings revealed that mentors were more useful than not in the return-to-work process for people with SCI. As a result of having a mentor, participants expressed an increase in self-confidence, self-efficacy, and social participation through networking. Evidence showed that having a mentor increased occupational performance, leading to improvement in quality of life and life satisfaction.

CONCLUSION: Peer mentoring is an effective means of complementing an already existent social support system. Peer mentoring played an important role in enhancing participants’ engagement in productive activities. In addition, peer mentors aided in participants’ vocational and educational pursuits. Occupational therapy can provide assistance with returning individuals to work after SCI through the use of mentor group therapy sessions.

References

National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. (2016). Spinal cord injury (SCI) facts and figures at a glance. Retrieved from https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/Public/Facts%202016.pdf