Examining the impact of physical and sexual abuse on the employment of persons with disabilities: An exploratory analysis

Background/significance: Persons with disabilities have a greater chance of experiencing physical or sexual violence when compared to persons without disabilities. Women with disabilities appeared to be at particular risk for severe forms of violence. One major factor found to be highly linked to the incidence of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse is when the victim of abuse is economically dependent on the perpetrator of the abuse. Purpose: The relationship between the employment status of persons with disabilities and the incidence of physical and sexual abuse was examined. Method: Data from the 2005 Behavioral 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 persons with disabilities. Logistic regression analysis was also used to examine the likelihood of unemployment for persons with disabilities who are abused. Results: Persons with disabilities and women with disabilities, specifically, who have been abused have higher levels of unemployment than persons without disabilities who have been abused. Also, persons with disabilities who have been abused have higher levels of unemployment than persons without disabilities who have not been abused. Finally, experiencing physical and sexual abuse increases the risk of unemployment for persons with disabilities. Discussion/ conclusion: Unemployment increases the disadvantage for an already vulnerable population and prevents persons with disabilities from being able to break the cycle of violence. Recommendations are discussed with regard to intervention by rehabilitation professionals to assist persons with disabilities who experience abuse.