Barriers to Employment
Respondents were asked three questions that examined how various responsibilities and stress affect job performance. In addition, respondents were asked to rate their level of agreement with 13 statements that describe barriers to employment.
A. Negative Experiences
Respondents were asked to report on the responsibilities they have that most affect their work experience in a negative manner. Personal care, financial concerns, and household maintenance were the categories most often selected. A large portion of respondents selected ‘other’ and explained their disability as it related to the prospect of work. Most often cited under the category of ‘other’ was ‘health,’ ‘memory,’ and ‘transportation.’
Table 21: Responsibilities most likely to affect respondents’ work experience negatively.
|
|
Frequency |
% of respondents indicating barrier |
|
Child care |
14 |
6% |
|
Personal care |
73 |
31% |
|
Elder care |
3 |
1% |
|
Financial concerns |
50 |
22% |
|
Household maintenance |
28 |
12% |
|
Other |
107 |
47% |
|
None |
55 |
24% |
Table 22 and Table 23
Table 22: Frequency of feeling overwhelmed by demands of work.
|
|
Frequency |
% |
|
|
All of the time |
53 |
31.5 |
|
|
Some of the time |
41 |
24.4 |
|
|
Rarely |
14 |
8.3 |
|
|
Never |
60 |
35.7 |
|
|
Total |
168 |
100 |
|
Table 23 and Table 24 raise interesting questions about the nature of respondents’ health and their desire and ability to work. Nearly 70% of the respondents reported the stress of balancing work and personal responsibilities affected their health, and the overwhelming majority reported a disability or condition that limits their ability to work. It appears that the stress of work can exacerbate existing conditions and disabilities in a recursive relationship.
Table 23: Influence of work and personal responsibilities on health, work, and personal relationships.
|
|
Frequency |
% |
|
|
The stress of balancing work and personal responsibilities affects my: |
Health |
117 |
69.2 |
|
Work |
3 |
1.8 |
|
|
Personal relationships |
2 |
1.2 |
|
|
Other |
47 |
27.8 |
|
|
Total |
169 |
100 |
|
|
Missing |
70 |
||
|
Total |
239 |
||
