Exploring Gender Disparities in Vocational Rehabilitation: A Focus on Women With Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationships between demographic characteristics, service patterns, and competitive integrated employment (CIE) outcomes among women with traumatic brain injury (TBI) within public vocational rehabilitation (VR) and to explore whether these relationships differ by sex, comparing outcomes between women and men with TBI.

SETTING

National Rehabilitation Services Administration data for fiscal year 2022.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1221 women and 2268 men who have TBI as a cause of primary disability and who received VR services after their individualized plan for employment (IPE).

DESIGN

Observational cohort study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Age, race, ethnicity, education, primary disability, public support at application, employment status at IPE, long-term unemployment status, length of services, 13 VR services, and CIE.

RESULTS

For both women and men with TBI, receipt of Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance at the time of IPE was negatively associated with CIE, and previous work experiences were positively associated with achieving CIE. Regarding VR services, job placement assistance, short-term and long-term job support, and maintenance services were significantly related to obtaining CIE outcomes for both groups. However, receiving VR counseling and guidance was significantly related to CIE for women with TBI only, whereas receiving rehabilitation technology services was significantly related to CIE for men with TBI only.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study are expected to have valuable implications for service providers and policymakers, helping them understand the unique needs of women with TBI and develop individualized support and services for successful employment.