Community competence and violently acquired spinal cord injury: Employment as a peer role model.

Purpose: To understand how employment as a peer role model within a rehabilitation hospital affects the development of community competence among young men and women with violently acquired spinal cord injury (VASCI). Design: A mixed-method, multiple case study design was incorporated, in which 2 cases were selected for study, including 10 individuals who were currently employed as peer role models and 10 individuals who were not. Results: Results revealed several differences between the 2 cases, as peer role models demonstrated greater knowledge and use of community resources. Furthermore, results highlighted the processes by which these changes occurred, including that peer role models had more direct exposure to resources, engaged in the act of sharing resources with others, and experienced an increased connection to positive networks. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the experience of employment as a peer role model within a rehabilitation setting may facilitate connections between individuals with VASCI and the community supports and resources necessary for successful postinjury adjustment. Implications for future research and theory are discussed.