Predictors of employment outcomes for vocational rehabilitation consumers with HIV/AIDS: 2002-2007

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.