Work participation remains challenging for people with spinal cord injury (SCI), as reflected in lower employment rates compared to the general population. To promote work participation for people with SCI, practitioners and policymakers need a better understanding of the factors associated with sustaining work in the long term. This study aimed to identify such factors. Materials and methods: Scoping review synthesizing quantitative and qualitative research published between 2000 and 2021. The databases searched were PubMed, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science. Results: Initially, 1221 articles were identified. Three quantitative studies investigating socio-demographic and injury-related factors and eight qualitative studies exploring mainly personal and environmental facilitators and barriers to working in the long term were retained. The results of the quantitative studies showed the importance of time since injury, age and education. The qualitative findings emphasized the positive influence of self-advocacy, managing health behaviours and a supportive work environment. Main barriers were time organization and societal attitudes.

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Maintaining work in the long term represents a major challenge for people with acquired brain injury (ABI) as evidenced by a high rate of premature labour market dropouts. The present study aimed to compile factors associated with working in the long term after sustaining an ABI. Materials and methods: We carried out a scoping review synthesizing quantitative and qualitative research conducted between 2000 and 2021. Databases searched comprised PubMed, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science. Results: Ten quantitative and nine qualitative studies were included, all but one from high-resource countries. Quantitative research predominantly comprised longitudinal follow-ups on individuals' work status several years post ABI onset, showing an effect of injury-related and sociodemographic factors. Qualitative studies mostly dealt with work maintenance and revealed a key role of cognitive difficulties, psychological personal factors (e.g. adequate coping strategies) and environmental factors (e.g. flexible work schedules, supportive colleagues). Conclusions:The factors identified in our review should receive particular attention in vocational integration and job retention programs to support work participation of people with ABI in the long term. There is a need for measures that regularly monitor and promote a good match between individuals and their work environment.