Predictors of Employment Outcomes for Vocational Rehabilitation Consumers With HIV/AIDS: 2002–2007

Abstract

This study examined the predictability of two employment outcomes—employment status and weekly earnings at closure— from consumer demographic, medical, and service variables for multiple groups of vocational rehabilitation (VR) consumers with HIV/AIDS retrieved from the RSA-911 data for fiscal years 2002 through 2007. A logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of employment status at closure across years, and a multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of weekly wage at closure. Consistently significant predictors of employment status at closure across the 6 years of data included job placement assistance, service expenditures, and length of time in rehabilitation. Consumer demographic variables, including receipt of Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability Income at referral, Medicare/Medicaid at referral, and level of education along with receipt of training services (i.e., college, vocational, or on-the-job training), were found to be the most reliable, significant predictors of weekly earnings at closure across the 6 years. Implications of the findings for practice and research are provided.