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Course of employment in adults with cerebral palsy over a 14‐year period
Author(s) -
Benner Joyce L,
Hilberink Sander R,
Veenis Thessa,
der Slot Wilma M A,
Roebroeck Marij E
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.13423
Subject(s) - cerebral palsy , gross motor function classification system , disability pension , medicine , gee , population , demography , young adult , generalized estimating equation , cohort , cohort study , pediatrics , psychology , physical therapy , statistics , mathematics , environmental health , sociology
Aim To explore the course of employment in adults with cerebral palsy ( CP ) over 14 years, and to identify subgroups at risk for unemployment. Method Sixty‐five adults with CP (33 males, 32 females; baseline age 25y 8mo, standard deviation [ SD ] 3y 2mo; intellectual impairment 25%; bilateral CP 65%) participated in a prospective cohort study. Self‐reports of employment and work hours per week in 1996, 2000, and 2010 were documented. The course of employment (including sheltered work) and work hours per week were analysed, using generalized estimating equations ( GEE ). Results Overall, employment rate was stable over time (38–45%, p =0.413), but lower than in the general population (75‐86%, p <0.001). Employment rates were specifically low in adults with intellectual impairment, bilateral CP , and in adults with Gross Motor Function Classification System ( GMFCS ) levels IV and V. Work hours per week declined (35.0 [ SD 7.9] to 31.2 [ SD 10.3], p =0.033), especially among females (32.3 [ SD 6.4] to 23.4 [ SD 7.4], p <0.001). Similar to the general population, females often worked part‐time. Interpretation Employment was low compared with the general population, but remained stable in the long term; however, work hours per week decreased. Adults with intellectual impairment, bilateral CP , and GMFCS levels IV and V are subgroups at risk for unemployment.