Journal Article Details

Citation:
Cmar, J.L. & McDonnal, M.C. (2024). Group-based trajectory analysis of longitudinal employment patterns and predictors for adults with visual impairments. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 61 (2), 143-156.
Title:
Group-based trajectory analysis of longitudinal employment patterns and predictors for adults with visual impairments
Authors:
Cmar, J.L. & McDonnal, M.C.
Year:
2024
Journal/Publication: 
Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation
Publisher:
Sage Journals
DOI:
Full text:
Peer-reviewed?
Yes
NIDILRR-funded? 
No

Structured abstract:

Background:
A substantial gap in employment rates has been documented between people with and without visual impairments, but most employment-related research for people with visual impairments has focused on employment at one time point.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to examine longitudinal employment trajectories by visual impairment and investigate factors associated with trajectories for people with visual impairments.
Data collection & analysis:
The data source was the 2014 Panel of the Survey of Income and Program Participation. Participants were 816 adults with visual impairments and a matched comparison group of 816 adults without visual impairments. We used group-based trajectory modeling to estimate employment trajectories, identify predictors of trajectory group membership, and explore the impact of health on employment trajectories.
Findings:
Visual impairment was associated with a lower probability of membership in the Rising, Declining, and High employment trajectory groups compared to the Low group. Predictors of trajectory group membership included disability benefit receipt, non-visual disabilities, gender, race, age, and education. Fair or poor health was associated with decreases in all four trajectories over time.
Conclusions:
Visual impairment is a risk factor for not working across multiple years. Disability benefit receipt was the strongest predictor of trajectory group membership for this population.
Disabilities served:
Blindness
Visual impairment