Impact of individual characteristics, family structure and family process on employment among youth with a history of receiving supplemental security income (SSI) benefits

Employment among transition-age youth with a history of receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits remains low, despite work incentives in the SSI program and broader policies promoting successful transition to adulthood (Hemmeter, Kauff and Wittenburg, 2009). This low rate of labor participation at an early age effectively consigns these young people to a life of unemployment and poverty and negatively affects the long-term fiscal stability of the SSI program (Rupp and Scott, 1995). This study utilized data collected in five waves between 2001 and 2009 as part of the National Longitudinal Transition Survey 2 (NLTS2), a large, nationally representative sample of youth with disabilities receiving special education (Wagner, 2006). We examined the relationship between the characteristics of 1826 youth, ages 14-25, with a history of receiving SSI and employment after high school graduation. In addition, we examined the relationship between family structure and family process and employment among these youth. Results: Of the youth characteristics examined, only disability type was significantly related to employment (p<.0001). Among family structure variables, the father's employment was significantly related to employment (p<.001) as were both the mother's employment (p<.05) and the mother's level of education (p<.001). Among process variables, parental attendance at general school meetings (p<.05) and the frequency with which parents spoke with youth about school at home (p<.0001) were significantly related to employment. Conclusion: Disability type and specific family structure and process factors bear a significant relationship to employment among youth with disabilities with a history of receiving SSI benefits.