Employment Outcomes For Persons Research Articles

The Impact of COVID-19 on Persons With Disabilities: A Systematic Review of Literature

The first case of COVID-19 was reported in the United States in January 2020. To date, the U.S. reports more than 87 million confirmed cases and more than 1 million related deaths. In the U.S., published research suggests that COVID-19 transmission and prevention practices presented challenges for people with disabilities regarding job status and access to services. To explore the impact of COVID-19 on employment and service provision for persons with disabilities (PWD), the authors performed a systematic review of published quantitative and qualitative studies conducted in the U.S. from January 2020 through December 2021. From the 19 identified studies, findings were grouped into three themes: employment, quality of life, and coping. The impact of COVID-19 and other adverse events (e.g., global pandemic, supply chain issues, financial recession, hurricanes, flooding, wildfires) on the provision of vocational rehabilitation services and employment outcomes for persons with disabilities should be further explored. Based on review findings, the COVID-19 Lived Experiences Scale for Persons with Disabilities (CLES-PWD) was created to understand the experiences of PWD in terms of their employment, quality of life, and coping. The CLES-PWD can serve as a tool for vocational rehabilitation professionals when providing employment planning to enhance employment outcomes.

Human Resources Professionals' Perspectives on the Use of a Community of Practice to Improve Employment Practices for Individuals With Disabilities

BackgroundThe hiring of persons with disabilities continues to lag relative to the employment outcomes of persons without disabilities.ObjectiveThe goal of this descriptive study was to examine human resources (HR) professionals' perceived needs and development considerations related to the use of a community of practice (CoP) to improve the hiring and retention of people with disabilities within the context of the technology acceptance model (TAM).MethodsParticipants were 190 HR professionals who were recruited through email invitations distributed by HR professional organizations in the Rocky Mountain region. The survey was comprised of items assessing beliefs regarding the usefulness, ease of use, and barriers to engaging in a CoP. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive and t-test analyses.FindingsFindings supported that 43.6% of HR professionals were unfamiliar with the term CoP, while 40.6% were familiar with the term CoP. A series paired-samples t-test revealed that LinkedIn was rated as the preferred social media platform. Moreover, resource libraries were identified as the most valuable feature, followed by frequently asked questions and answers, external links, webinar/live chat, continuing education credits, electronic newsletter, just in time information access, and virtual conferences.ConclusionsThe findings from this study indicate CoPs could be a viable option as a knowledge translation mechanism and useful in disseminating information and providing a network that allows the exchange of information between practitioners and researchers.

Association of Supported Employment With Cognitive Functioning and Employment Outcomes.

Cognitive functioning affects employment outcomes in supported employment. This study examined which cognitive parameters are associated with employment outcomes for persons with mental illnesses and discusses possible mechanisms involved. Data stem from a randomized controlled trial conducted as part of the Zürich Impulse Program for the Sustainable Development of Mental Health Services (ZInEP). A sample of 116 patients in supported employment was recruited, coached, and followed up. Factor analysis and logistic regression were used to determine cognitive parameters associated with employment outcomes. Results showed that verbal learning was positively associated with better employment outcomes (any job and employment for at least three months). Results of this study imply that training in verbal learning should be included in supported employment programs. More generally, elaborated models are needed to explain interactions between cognitive functioning, supported employment, and employment outcomes and to enhance understanding of the interrelationships between cognitive functioning, employment outcomes, and any mediating and moderating variables.

Consequences of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Symptoms on Women's Work Participation and Income: Results from a National Household Sample

We describe differences in work participation and income by bladder symptom impact and comorbidities among women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Cross-sectional data from 2,767 respondents younger than 65 years identified with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome symptoms were analyzed. The data were taken from the RAND Interstitial Cystitis Epidemiology (RICE) survey, and included retrospective self-reports of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome impact, severity, years since onset, related comorbidities (depressive symptomatology, number of conditions), work participation and income, and personal characteristics. Multiple regressions predicted 5 current work outcomes of works now, kept from working by pain, missed work days, days worked when bothered by symptoms and real income change since symptom onset. Controlling for work status at symptom onset and personal characteristics, greater bladder symptom impact predicted a greater likelihood of not now working, kept more days from working by pain, missed more work days and working more days with symptoms. More depressive symptomatology and greater number of comorbidities predicted reduced work participation. Women experienced no growth in real income since symptom onset. Measures of symptom severity were not associated with any of the economic outcomes. Greater interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome symptom impact, depressive symptomatology and count of comorbidities (but not symptom severity) were each associated with less work participation and leveling of women's long-term earnings. Management of bladder symptom impact on nonwork related activities and depressive symptomatology may improve women's work outcomes.

Five-Factor Model of Personality, Work Behavior Self-Efficacy, and Length of Prior Employment for Individuals With Disabilities

With the continued lower employment rate for persons with disabilities, researchers are focusing more on barriers to employment that reach beyond functional impairment. Personality and self-efficacy have consistently been important factors when considering employment outcomes for persons without disability; less is known about these factors as they relate to job tenure in samples of people with disabilities. A sample of 56 individuals eligible for vocational rehabilitation services was used to investigate the relationship among personality, work behavior efficacy, and length of prior employment. Results of this study revealed that work behavior efficacy and personality are related to length of prior employment. Personality was found to account for a significant amount of variance in work behavior efficacy, and personality was a stronger predictor of length of prior employment over work behavior efficacy. Specifically, the personality trait openness significantly contributed to length of prior employment, and openness and neuroticism significantly contributed to length of prior employment among persons with low education. A discussion of the dynamic nature of personality as it relates to persons with disabilities and employment is included.

Job loss discrimination and former substance use disorders

Persons with former alcohol or drug use disorders are protected from labor market discrimination by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. They have been neglected, however, in empirical studies of labor market discrimination following implementation of the Act. We apply econometric techniques used to study other disabled groups to determine if there are significant differences in employment outcomes for persons with and without former substance use disorders and, if so, what part of these differences potentially can be attributed to employer discrimination. There are no significant differences in employment rates between persons with and without former substance use disorders, and among those who are employed no significant differences in rates of full-time employment. But persons with former substance use disorders report significantly higher rates of involuntary job loss within the previous year. Part of the differential remains unexplained after controlling for other factors that affect employment outcomes, suggesting employer discrimination may be one cause of poor job stability among this group. Certain identifiable subgroups with low levels of human capital are particularly susceptible to substance-related discrimination.

Accessing employment supports in the adult system for transitioning youth with autism spectrum disorders

Effective transition from school to the adult community and employment for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) requires knowledge of an array of state and community agencies and organizations. This paper provided an overview of current research on employment outcomes for persons with ASD, with emphasis on employment outcomes achieved through participation in services provided by State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies. Descriptions are given for the primary providers of employment and related supports in the adult service system for transitioning youth with ASD. Two case study examples are provided detailing the development and implementation of employment plans responsive to the unique needs and abilities of young adults with ASD. Becoming well informed about resources at the community and state level and learning how to network effectively among these resources are emphasized as key to planning and implementing an effective transition program for a youth with ASD.

Employment outcomes of persons with a mental disorder and comorbid chronic pain.

This study examined the independent and interactive effects of common mental disorders and chronic pain conditions on employment and work outcomes among individuals under 65 years old. Cross-sectional data were analyzed from the second wave of Healthcare for Communities (HCC2), a household telephone survey of U.S. civilian adults conducted in 2000-2001 (N=5,328). Common mental disorders were assessed by using the short-form version of the World Health Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Chronic pain conditions and employment outcomes were identified by self-report. Logistic and linear regression analyses were used to provide estimates for work impairment on the basis of the presence of a mental disorder or a chronic pain condition or both. The interaction between presence of a mental disorder and presence of a chronic pain condition was significantly associated with no work for pay in the past 12 months (odds ratio=2.3, 95% confidence interval=1.2-4.2) and number of days of work missed in the past month because of health (regression coefficient=1.47, SE=.59). In stratified analyses this effect persisted for women but not for men. The presence of a mental disorder and the presence of a chronic pain condition were each independently associated with limitations in work and any work missed in the past 30 days because of health, although the interaction was not significant. Mental disorders and chronic pain are each associated with work disability. Mental disorders are more strongly associated with some work disability outcomes when they are accompanied by chronic pain, especially among women.

Employment Outcomes of Persons With a Mental Disorder and Comorbid Chronic Pain

Employment Outcomes of Persons With a Mental Disorder and Comorbid Chronic Pain

Connectedness and Citizenship: Redefining Social Integration

Connectedness and Citizenship: Redefining Social Integration

Limitations of System Integration in Providing Employment Services for Persons with Mental Illness

This study assessed the influence of service systems integration on employment outcomes for persons with mental illness. A survey was sent to all 125 key program staff that worked for community mental health treatment agencies or vocational rehabilitation agencies. The survey found that referral and employment rates were low; but that these rates were related to characteristics of the interagency systems integration. Community mental health staff referred 448 individuals for employment services. Staff from vocational rehabilitation agencies accepted only 26% of these referrals and found work for just 11%; 7% were employed six months later. Also, 39% of respondents reported that the linkage agreement between their agencies was never established. This study suggests the need for more effective strategies for integrating mental health treatment and vocational rehabilitation systems.

Personnel Development in the Field of Disability with a Focus on Employment Outcomes

The author discusses the key considerations for personnel development in the disability field with a focus on employment outcomes. The author emphasizes the role of support and facilitation by rehabilitation personnel as structures for inclusion. He discusses the fact that disabilities, like learning and change, are lifetime experiences for all of us. Accordingly, comprehensive personnel development must be attentive to the constituencies and the environment. It must be value based. Finally, comprehensive personnel development must address the present and future needs of all constituencies in the field of disability to achieve successful employment outcomes. The author presents the context for an educational framework for rehabilitation personnel. This framework is based on four pillars-formal education, professional certification, continuing education and self-directed learning. The synergistic relationship among these pillars, and the constituency groups provides the framework for effective disability policy and positive employment outcomes for persons with disabilities.

Measurement of Work-Related Outcomes for Students with Severe Disabilities

Measuring employment outcomes for persons with severe disabilities has advanced in scope and effort during recent years. The initial focus on task performance in sheltered settings has been replaced with the measurement of a number of other individual outcomes within the context of supported employment. Additionally, measurement reflects an ecological perspective; that is, individual outcomes, such as job-task performance, integration, economic benefits, and consumer satisfaction are considered within the context of group and organizational variables that can affect those outcomes. In this article, measurement considerations for individual, group, and organizational factors are described and discussed. As students with severe disabilities enter complex employment environments, it is clear that more than one measurement strategy will be needed to document meaningful outcomes.

Employment outcomes of persons following traumatic brain injury: pre-injury, post-injury, and supported employment.

This paper provides a prospective analysis of the pre-injury, post-injury and supported employment work histories of 20 persons who survived a severe head injury. All persons had a very limited or inconsistent work history post-injury, due to the severity of the injury. Data are presented on the placement outcomes and include factors such as wages, hours worked, months of employment and type of occupation. The supported employment model is described and the job coach approach is presented in some detail. The most significant finding of this preliminary report is that, as an aggregate group, supported employment was able to facilitate restoration of vocational capacity from pre-injury levels based on total months worked.

Employment outcomes of persons following traumatic brain injury.

Employment outcomes of persons following traumatic brain injury.