Predicting employment outcomes among women of color with psychiatric disabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine employment predictors for women of color with psychiatric disabilities who received serves from state and federal vocational rehabilitation agencies and women of color with psychiatric disabilities who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits and services from state and federal vocational rehabilitation agencies using logistical regression regarding data from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) dataset. Demographic variables and vocational rehabilitation (VR) services were used to predict employment outcome. The sample size (N = 10,238) consisted of women of color with a psychiatric diagnosis. Within this group of women included 820 women of color who received TANF benefits. The results indicated that some demographic variables and VR services had a significant impact on employment outcomes. Regarding the women who did not receive TANF, educational level, employment status, and 11 vocational rehabilitation services predicted a successful employment outcome. Regarding TANF recipients, employment status and four vocational rehabilitation services predicted a successful employment outcome. Practice, research, and pedagogical implications regarding the results are discussed at the end of this manuscript.