Examining the impact of physical and sexual abuse on the employment of women with disabilities in the United States: An exploratory analysis

Purpose. The relationship between the employment status of women with disabilities and the incidence of physical and sexual abuse in the United States was examined. Method. Data from the 2005 Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were analyzed using descriptive analysis and proportional analysis to determine the significance of the relationship between the experience of abuse and employment status for women with disabilities. Due to the large sample size, effect size was examined through Cohen's h. Logistic regression analysis was also used to examine the risk of unemployment for women with disabilities who are abused. Results. Women with disabilities who have been abused have higher levels of unemployment than women without disabilities who have not been abused. In addition, women with disabilities who have been abused have higher levels of unemployment than women without disabilities who have not been abused. Finally, experiencing physical and sexual abuse increases the risk of unemployment for women with disabilities. Conclusion. Unemployment increases the disadvantage for an already vulnerable population and potentially prevents women with disabilities from being able to break the cycle of violence they are experiencing. Recommendations are discussed with regard to intervention by rehabilitation professionals to assist women with disabilities who experience abuse.