The relationship between unemployment and poor health outcomes, such as depression, is well documented. Numerous studies show that levels of unemployment and depressive disorders are disproportionately high among individuals with disabilities compared to those without disabilities. However, very little has been done to examine the association between employment and depressive disorder symptoms among individuals with disabilities. The present study, evaluates the association between depressive disorder symptoms and unemployment taking onto account gender and ethnicity among working age individuals with disabilities in the general population. The study utilizes data from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Results showed that unemployment among individuals with disabilities is not only high, but there were significant gender and ethnic differences. Significant gender and ethnic differences were also found in reports of depressive disorder symptoms. After adjustments for potential confounders were made, unemployment was significantly predictor of depressive disorder symptoms for women from all ethnicities. While among men unemployment significantly predicted depressive disorders among White and Black men. There is need for effective and targeted public policy programs to increase employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities especially minorities and women. Vocational rehabilitation counselors need to assess individuals with disabilities for depressive disorder symptoms and offer appropriate treatment/referral where necessary.
Racial and ethnic differences in health status and health behavior among breast cancer survivors—Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2009
