The relationship between employment and veteran status, disability and gender from 2004–2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Smith, Diane L.

Affiliations: Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Missouri, 406 Lewis Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. Tel.: +1 573 882 8403; Fax: +1 573 884 2610; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In 2011, about 1.8 million or 8 percent of the 22.2 million veterans were women in the US. The unemployment rate for female veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan rose to 13.5%, above the 8.4% for non-veteran adult women. OBJECTIVE: To examine data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), from 2004–2011 to determine the relationship between employment and veteran status, disability and gender. METHODS: Chi square analysis was used to determine if significant differences existed between the employment rate of female veterans with disabilities and female veterans without disabilities, female non-veterans with disabilities and male veterans with disabilities. Binomial logistic regression analysis was used to determine how veteran status, disability and gender affected the likelihood of not being employed. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in employment rate between female veterans with disabilities and female veterans without disabilities, but not when compared to female non-veterans with disabilities or male veterans with disabilities. Disability was the strongest factor increasing the likelihood of not being employed, though veteran status and female gender were also predictive. CONCLUSIONS: Female veterans with disabilities experience low levels of employment. Policies and programs are needed to address the unique needs of these veterans.

Keywords: Military, Veteran's Administration, vocational rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131648

Journal: Work, vol. 49, no. 2, pp. 325-334, 2014