Access Type

Open Access Dissertation

Date of Award

January 2014

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Department

Sociology

First Advisor

Khari Brown

Abstract

ABSTRACT

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCES OF BLACK AND WHITE VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES

by

SHARON YVONNE MURPHY

May 2014

Advisor: Dr. Khari Brown

Major: Sociology

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

The study examined the association between race and employment experiences among Veterans with disability to determine if employment experience differed for White and Black Veterans in the labor market. The research revealed typical characteristics of employment experiences, which suggest that work is completed at multiple levels, based on multiple factors and it is shaped by maintenance of historical discrimination and challenges, demographic and socioeconomic factors often beyond the control of the minority Veteran. For instance, this research found that historically Black Veterans with disabilities reported different employment experiences in the labor market. They reported that they received limited healthcare, have higher rates PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) diagnoses, experienced higher poverty, illness and injuries, which affected their civilian labor market participation (Kuzy, 2004). These Black Veterans with disabilities reported lower employment when compared to their non-Black counterparts. Data from the 2007 Veterans Employability Research Survey (VERS) assessed the experiences of Black Veterans with disabilities compared to the employment experiences of non-Black Veterans with service-connected disabilities to understand their employment experiences. Finally, using the segmentation market theories to explain the different experiences of White and Black Veterans with service-connected disabilities in the labor market this study determined that many veterans with service-connected disabilities, primarily minority and African American Veterans traditionally have employment experiences within the lower-tiers of the labor market. Despite social demographics patterns, educational history and military rank, branch and time in the service, which might have exposed Black Veterans to training and opportunities, race continued to influence the overall employment experiences of Black Veterans with service-connected disabilities when compared to White Veterans with service-connected disabilities.

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