Intersectionality, Work, and Well-Being: The Effects of Gender and Disability

Robyn Lewis Brown, Mairead Eastin Moloney

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

Intersectionality emphasizes numerous points of difference through which those who occupy multiple disadvantaged statuses are penalized. Applying this consideration to the workplace, we explore ways in which status-based and structural aspects of work undermine women and people with physical disabilities and diminish psychological well-being. We conceptually integrate research on the workplace disadvantages experienced by women and people with disabilities. Drawing on a longitudinal analysis of community survey data that includes a diverse sample of people with and without physical disabilities, we explore the claim that women with disabilities are burdened by greater disadvantage in work settings compared to men with disabilities and women and men without disabilities. We find evidence that in comparison with these groups, women with disabilities on average are more psychologically affected by inequitable workplace conditions, partly because they earn less, are exposed to more workplace stress, and are less likely to experience autonomous working conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)94-122
Number of pages29
JournalGender and Society
Volume33
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 by The Author(s).

Keywords

  • employment
  • gender
  • mental health
  • physical disability

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gender Studies
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Sociology and Political Science

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