Racial Variation in Vocational Rehabilitation Outcomes: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Numerous studies have indicated racial and ethnic disparities in the vocational rehabilitation (VR) system, including differences in acceptance, services provided, closure types, and employment outcomes. Few of these studies, however, have used advanced multivariate techniques or latent constructs to measure quality of employment outcomes (QEO) or tested hypothesized models for the relationship between race, personal history characteristics, and VR employment outcomes. This study tested an implied conceptual model for the relationship between race, personal history characteristics, and QEO for White, Black, and Hispanic participants in the VR system. The study used structural equation modeling (SEM) and 2006 RSA 911 data. The implied conceptual model was tested for goodness of fit and multiple-group invariance. The final structural model indicated moderate model fit. It also indicated interaction effects for race by gender and for race by public support. Study limitations and suggestions for further research are described. (Contains 3 tables and 2 figures.)