Skip to main content
Article
Factors Influencing Employment Decisions Among Immigrants Caring for a Child with Special Health Care Needs
Journal of Family Issues
  • Lisa M. Stewart, California State University Monterrey Bay
  • Claudia Sellmaier, University of Washington
  • Lisha Shrestha, Portland State University
  • Eileen M. Brennan, Portland State University
Document Type
Citation
Publication Date
1-28-2023
Abstract

Immigrant parents may struggle to secure and maintain employment if they raise children with disabilities. The current study examines data from immigrant parents responding to the 2018 National Survey of Children’s Health, including 618 raising children with special health care needs (CSHCN) and 2937 parenting children needing typical care. Parents of CSHCN had higher levels of both aggravation and resilience, but less access to a medical home than parents with typical care responsibilities. Immigrants were less likely to change jobs, but more likely to cut back work hours, or quit work, if they had CSHCNs lacking a medical home, missing more school days, and living in unsafe neighborhoods. Parents of CHSHNs also spent substantial time coordinating care and providing health care at home. Results indicate the need for service providers to connect immigrant families with CSHCNs with culturally supportive organizations that can help them handle family responsibilities while maintaining employment.

Rights

© The Author(s) 2023

DOI
10.1177/0192513X221150981
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/40548
Citation Information
Stewart, L. M., Sellmaier, C., Shrestha, L., & Brennan, E. M. (2023). Factors Influencing Employment Decisions Among Immigrants Caring for a Child With Special Health Care Needs. Journal of Family Issues, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X221150981