Who Moves? A Demographic Profile of Post-Injury Residential Movers in a Sample of People with Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To investigate 1) rates of post-injury moves among people with spinal cord injury (SCI), 2) reasons for moving and move distance, and 3) associations of moving with sociodemographic and injury-related characteristics. <h3>Design</h3> Cross-sectional study consisting of one telephone interview. Data were linked to existing data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS) database. <h3>Setting</h3> Six SCI Model Systems centers. <h3>Participants</h3> Individuals 18 years and older with chronic, traumatic SCI who have lived in the community for at least one year after completing inpatient rehabilitation (N= 696). <h3>Interventions</h3> Not applicable. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> "Moving" is a binary measure indicating whether participants ever moved after SCI. "Reasons for moving" assesses participants' most recent move with 5 categories: family, employment, housing quality, accessibility, or other reasons. "Move distance" compares geographic identifiers for participants' most recent move using 4 categories: within the same Census tract; different tract, same county; different county, same state; and different state. <h3>Results</h3> 64% reported at least one post-injury move. The most frequently reported reasons for moving were housing quality and accessibility concerns. Higher move rates were reported among racial/ethnic minorities, unmarried individuals, wheelchair users, and those with severe injuries, and these groups were also more likely to move for housing quality and accessibility reasons. Female participants were more likely than males to move for family reasons, although males were more likely to make intra-county moves. Inter-state moves were more likely to occur for employment and less likely to occur for housing quality or accessibility reasons. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Residential moves are common after SCI. Housing and accessibility issues among socially disadvantaged groups and those with severe injuries are key drivers of this trend. We discuss the implications for community reintegration after SCI. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> Nothing to disclose.