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Citation |
Scott-Marshall H, Tompa E, Liao Q, Fang M. Disabil. Health J. 2013; 6(1): 43-51. |
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Affiliation |
Institute for Work & Health, 481 University Avenue, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2E9; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: hscott-marshall@iwh.on.ca. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
23260610 |
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Abstract |
BACKGROUND: Prior studies on the impact of disabling work injury have neglected social support as a key mediating factor. This study investigates how permanent impairment from a work injury affects marital formation, an indicator of social support and integration with the potential to affect psychosocial adjustment and the resumption of productive social roles following work injury. HYPOTHESES: Adjusting for socio-demographic and economic factors associated with marriageability, we expect that individuals with a work-related permanent impairment will have a lower rate of marital formation compared to their non-injured counterparts. METHODS: Drawing on a linkage of workers' compensation claims data with income tax information, we undertake a duration modeling analysis comparing workers who have sustained a workplace injury with a matched sample of non-injured controls to examine time to marital formation in each group. RESULTS: Women who suffered a disabling work injury were 17% less likely to marry relative to controls. High levels of physical impairment reduced the rate of marriage in women by 22%. We did not find an effect of impairment on marriage probability in models adjusted for income in men. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the importance of examining the social and interpersonal consequences of work injury, factors not currently addressed by the occupational rehabilitation system. Language: en |