Date of Conferral

10-18-2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Heba Athar

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), characterized by challenges in social communication and repetitive behaviors, is a developmental disability that impacts over five million adults in the United States. Despite the significant amount of research literature on the association between health and employment in the general population, there remains a gap in research on the relationship between health and employment in adults with autism. Utilizing the Social Ecological Model (SEM) framework, this study examined whether there is a relationship between employment, current living status, non-paid activities, United States Census regions, type of health insurance, and health status when controlling for age, race, and gender in adults with ASD in the United States. Data from the Longitudinal Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disability Study (LHIDDS) were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE) to assess the association in 217 adults with ASD. The analysis revealed that after controlling for age, race, and gender, employment status, age, geographic region, and health insurance coverage (having Medicaid or no health insurance) were significantly associated with health status. These findings suggest that employment, age, type of health insurance, and regional factors play a key role in the health outcomes of adults with ASD. The results of this study provide important implications for developing public health strategies to influence health policy and funding future research studies in autistic adults. Promoting inclusive employment opportunities and enhancing equitable access to healthcare provides an opportunity for positive social change to improve the quality of life and well-being of adults with ASD.

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