Psychosocial and vocational impacts of COVID-19 on people with and without disabilities.

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to devastating economic impacts and psychosocial changes for individuals around the world, including people with chronic illness and disabilities (CID). This study explored the impacts on employment and how it related to stress and satisfaction with life during COVID-19 between people with and without CID. Research Method/Design: A cross-sectional study design was used with 1,380 adults from 20 countries who were employed before the COVID-19 pandemic, including 318 people with CID. Statistical methods (i.e., descriptive statistics, chisquare analyses, two-way analysis of variances) were used to analyze the time, employment, group, and interaction effects. Results: There were three main findings. (1) Compared with those without CID, individuals with CID were more likely to have their employment impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and they were more often laid off or dismissed from their job. (2) Individuals with CID reported significantly higher stress and lower life satisfaction compared with those without CID during the COVID-19 pandemic regardless of its impacts on employment. (3) Individuals whose employment was impacted reported significantly lower life satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic regardless of their CID status. Conclusion/ Implications: Findings highlight the employment and psychosocial impacts of a global pandemic and provide implications for moving forward in regards to vocational and psychosocial intervention services and supports that will be needed, especially for those with CID. Impact and ImplicationsThis study extends existing literature by analyzing impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic across the globe on employment and psychosocial outcomes (i.e., stress and life satisfaction) for people with chronic illness and disability (CID) compared with those without CID and informs research and practices for supporting those who have been adversely impacted. Given the significant negative impacts of COVID-19 on employment for individuals with CID in comparison with those without CID, vocational rehabilitation agencies should provide vocational supports for individuals with CID and work to develop new employment options. Researchers and practitioners should develop effective vocational and psychosocial intervention strategies (e.g., through telehealth) to resolve global employment and mental health issues related to COVID-19 to minimize inequality between individuals with and without CID and improve their quality of life.

COVID-19 Related Shifts in Social Interaction, Connection, and Cohesion Impact Psychosocial Health: Longitudinal Qualitative Findings from COVID-19 Treatment Trial Engaged Participants

“…The pandemic’s burden on mental health is associated with multiple intersecting factors, including economic decline resulting in increased job insecurity [ 3 , 4 ]; housing precarity [ 5 , 6 ]; childcare disruptions and school closures [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]; increased risk of interpersonal violence [ 10 , 11 ]; and general disruption to daily routines [ 12 ]. Furthermore, the burden of COVID-19 disease, and its psychosocial sequelae, has disproportionately impacted certain populations, such as children and youth [ 12 , 13 ], cisgender women [ 14 , 15 , 16 ], minoritized communities [ 17 , 18 ], people who use drugs [ 19 ], older adults [ 20 , 21 ], people with disabilities [ 22 , 23 ], and LGBTQIA+ individuals [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ].…”

Navigating the Unforeseen: Perceptions of Quality of Life While Working from Home in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Xu, Kee and Mao (2021) reported that women focused on taking care of family members and men focused on taking care of themselves with female participants reporting a lower level of life satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic while working from home. According to Park et al (2022), people with chronic illness and disabilities (CID) had more stress and less life satisfaction than participants without CID during the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, there were a wide range of participant characteristics and situations during the pandemic that resulted in challenges to working from home.…”

“…Additionally, the variables of social distancing and stay-at-home orders created another layer to previous literature about working from home and QOL-related factors. In a unique study conducted in 20 countries including the United States about QOL-related factors such as employment, stress, and life satisfaction for people with chronic illness and disabilities (CID) and without CID during the COVID-19 pandemic, findings indicated that people with CID were more likely to report that employment status had been impacted (Park et al, 2022). Also, people with CID reported more stress and lower life satisfaction.…”

Spezifische Teilhaberisiken und -chancen

“…Auch Studien zum Belastungserleben der verschiedenen Betroffenengruppen versprechen neue Erkenntnisse. Ein "Cross-cultural online survey on the impact of COVID-19 among persons with and without disabilities" stellt die Frage nach dem Belastungserleben von Menschen mit und ohne Beeinträchtigungen in insgesamt 20 Ländern in den Mittelpunkt (Fisher et al 2022;Park et al 2022). Im Rahmen einer Kooperation zwischen der Michigan State University, der Universität Hamburg und der Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz wurden wahrgenommene Belastungen und Ressourcen von Menschen mit und ohne Beeinträchtigungen, die in Deutschland an dieser Studie teilnahmen, gesondert ausgewertet.…”