Brittany Gaines, M.S., Elyssa Besen, Ph.D., Glenn Pransky, M.D., M.Occ.H.
Disability and Health Journal, Vol. 10, Issue 2, p308–319
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2016.12.009
Background
Previous research has largely concentrated on how individual-level factors explain work disability duration. However, growing evidence suggests socio-cultural factors may significantly influence length of work disability.
Objective
This study examined whether socio-cultural factors that vary by location of residence influence length of disability.
Methods
This study utilized 216,162 non-work-related disability claims from a private US insurance company and matched these data with socio-cultural factors at the census tract level. OLS regression was used to model findings.
Results
Higher unemployment rates, greater median household income, increased poverty status, increased length of the work commute, lower educational attainment, lower percentage of residents living alone, higher percentage of residents age 55 and older, higher percentage of disabled adults (35–64), a lower percentage of whites, and a larger Hispanic population were associated with a longer length of disability.
Conclusions
The findings showed that socio-cultural factors varying by location were associated with the length of disability, suggesting that the socioeconomic context of the areas in which individuals reside are likely to influence the work disability process.