Anxiety and employment discrimination: Implications for counseling and return to work practice.

BACKGROUND: The most prevalent mental health diagnosis is anxiety disorder, which remains largely undertreated. OBJECTIVE: This investigation considered differences in workplace discrimination against adults with anxiety disorders during two eras of legal history: the original Americans with Disabil...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Work Vol. 73; no. 4; pp. 1091 - 1103
Main Authors: Cureton, Jenny L., Leslie, Mykal, McMahon, Brian, Lowe, Hannah E., Tovey, Bridget, Rumrill, Phillip D.
Format: research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Sage Publications Inc. 2022
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
Description
Summary:BACKGROUND: The most prevalent mental health diagnosis is anxiety disorder, which remains largely undertreated. OBJECTIVE: This investigation considered differences in workplace discrimination against adults with anxiety disorders during two eras of legal history: the original Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990-2008) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA, 2009-present). METHOD: Research questions addressed differential (a) numbers and types of allegations, (b) case resolutions, and (c) demographic characteristics of the charging parties. RESULTS: Results indicated substantially more allegations and merit-based resolutions filed by charging parties with anxiety disorders post-ADAAA. Furthermore, the post-ADAAA era revealed increases in allegations from women and people from non-white racial groups. CONCLUSION: These findings can inform advocacy and counseling and rehabilitation services for clients who experience anxiety.