Factors associated with employment of mothers caring for children with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated employment, financial, and health issues of Japanese mothers with schoolaged children with disabilities, and factors associated with participants' employment. Methods: A survey was conducted with 243 Japanese mothers with children aged 6 to 18 years old enrolled in a Special Education Needs School for intellectually disabled children. The mothers' employment, income, health, and time spent caregiving were compared with those of other Japanese mothers using population data. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with the mothers' employment status. Results: Participants showed a lower employment rate (49%) compared with the average rate (71%) among Japanese mothers with children aged between 6 and 18 years old who lived in the same region. Over half (57%) of unemployed mothers expressed a desire to work. About 62% of mothers belonged to a lower income group, compared to 33% of Japanese families rearing children. The mothers' single-parent status, good health, collegelevel education, use of childcare services, and children's age were positively associated with paid employment. In particular, mothers' good health was strongly associated with their paid employment. Conclusion: Mothers caring for children with disabilities showed lower workforce participation and lower income than other Japanese mothers. The majority of unemployed mothers showed a desire for paid employment. Further maternal health care and social support are needed to support these mothers' workforce participation.

Perceived organizational support and work engagement of employees with children with disabilities

“…DeRigne and Porterfield, 2010), as groups of parents who experience a different type of caregiving in comparison to parents of typically developing children (Jang, 2008). For example, in a recent study in Japan, Ejiri and Matsuzawa (2019) (DeRigne, 2012) or have more difficulties in working as paid employees than those who are parents of typically developing children (Kogan et al, 2008). Similar results were reported by Dillon-Wallace et al (2016), who found that the employees with children with SND reported higher levels of strain and fewer gains regarding work-life balance in comparison to employees with typically developing children.…”

“…Research has pointed to the needs of parents with children with SND (e.g., Brennan and Brannon, 2005;Steward, 2013) and with health care needs (e.g., DeRigne and Porterfield, 2010), as groups of parents who experience a different type of caregiving in comparison to parents of typically developing children (Jang, 2008). For example, in a recent study in Japan, Ejiri and Matsuzawa (2017) found that mothers of children with intellectual disabilities enrolled in special education schools had lower workforce participation and lower income, when compared to mothers with typically developing children. Other research studies have reported that mothers of children with severe disabilities invest less hours in their work, they are more likely to resign (DeRigne, 2012) or have more difficulties in working as paid employees than those who are parents of typically developing children (Kogan et al, 2008).…”

“…Organizational support research has indicated that supervisors and colleagues have an important role in developing employees' attitudes toward the organization and their general work engagement (e.g., Ferguson et al, 2015;Rousseau and Aube, 2010). According to Rosenzweig, Huffstutter and Burris (2004) parents value relationships with their supervisor and co-workers, because they provide the necessary support to balance family and work responsibilities.…”

Intellectual disability and autism: socioeconomic impacts of informal caring, projected to 2030

“…A study of 243 mothers in Japan who were caring for children with intellectual disability showed that they had much a lower employment rate (49% compared with 71%) than mothers of unaffected children of the same age in the same region; 57% of these unemployed mothers wished to be in the workplace and 62% of mothers with an intellectually disabled child were in a lower income group. 26 Single-parent status, good health and college-level education, plus use of childcare and the child's age (>12 years old), were all positively correlated with paid work. 26 Similarly, a study from the USA found that the impact of having a child with ASD on the parent's workforce participation was influenced by whether the child also had an intellectual disability, and the parent's educational level, immigration status and ethnicity.…”

“…26 Single-parent status, good health and college-level education, plus use of childcare and the child's age (>12 years old), were all positively correlated with paid work. 26 Similarly, a study from the USA found that the impact of having a child with ASD on the parent's workforce participation was influenced by whether the child also had an intellectual disability, and the parent's educational level, immigration status and ethnicity. 25 An Australian qualitative study reported that, compared with other working Australians, mothers of children with intellectual disabilities had a higher educational level, yet poorer health, lower family income and lower workforce participation.…”