Childhood Trauma and Employment Disability

Introduction: While the relationship between childhood trauma and employment disability has undergone very limited study, existing data suggest a possible correlation. Method: In this study of 91 outpatients in an internal medicine setting, we surveyed participants and inquired about their childhood histories of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, of physical neglect, and of witnessing violence. We also asked whether participants had ever been on employment disability, either psychiatric or non-psychiatric, and the length of that disability. Results: Being or having been on disability was significantly related to childhood histories of emotional abuse, physical neglect, and witnessing violence. Being or having been on psychiatric disability was significantly related to childhood emotional abuse and physical neglect while being on non-psychiatric medical disability was significantly related to witnessing violence. The percent of one's lifetime on disability was significantly related to physical and emotional abuse as well as witnessing violence. Conclusions: Maltreatment in childhood appears to have a relationship to employment disability in adulthood. The authors discuss the implications of these findings.