Vanessa Tomas1,2, Hiba Ahmed3, Sally Lindsay4,3,5. 1. Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. vanessa.tomas@mail.utoronto.ca. 2. Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada. vanessa.tomas@mail.utoronto.ca. 3. Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada. 4. Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. 5. Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Deciding whether and how to disclose a disability at work for persons with non-visible disabilities and illnesses involve complex processes. Research has focused on antecedents and outcomes of disclosure. More research is needed to understand the lived experiences related to disclosure decision-making and actual navigation of disclosure and concealment at work. PURPOSE: To understand the experiences of persons with non-visible disabilities and illnesses regarding workplace disclosure decision-making, navigating disclosure and/or concealment, and experiential differences across disability and illness types, ages, geographic locations, and genders. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative meta-synthesis using Noblit and Hare's seven steps of meta-ethnography. Searches were conducted via six databases. Studies were analyzed to develop conceptual categories, third-order constructs (themes), and a line-of-argument with comparisons drawn from the disclosure decision making model, disclosure process model, and consideration of disability and illness types, genders, ages, and geographic locations. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies were included involving 489 participants, aged 16 to 81, from nine countries, focusing on one non-visible disability or illness, or multiple. We developed four themes for the disclosure decision-making process (self- and other-focused, experiential, and environmental/workplace factors) and two themes for the disclosure/concealment event (disclosure/concealment logistics and timing) and noted emerging trends across ages, genders, disability and illness types, and geographic locations. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge obtained could be used among professionals who support persons with non-visible disabilities and illnesses to help them navigate disclosure at work, and to consider the role of age, genders, disability and illness types, and geographic locations on disclosure.
BACKGROUND: Deciding whether and how to disclose a disability at work for persons with non-visible disabilities and illnesses involve complex processes. Research has focused on antecedents and outcomes of disclosure. More research is needed to understand the lived experiences related to disclosure decision-making and actual navigation of disclosure and concealment at work. PURPOSE: To understand the experiences of persons with non-visible disabilities and illnesses regarding workplace disclosure decision-making, navigating disclosure and/or concealment, and experiential differences across disability and illness types, ages, geographic locations, and genders. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative meta-synthesis using Noblit and Hare's seven steps of meta-ethnography. Searches were conducted via six databases. Studies were analyzed to develop conceptual categories, third-order constructs (themes), and a line-of-argument with comparisons drawn from the disclosure decision making model, disclosure process model, and consideration of disability and illness types, genders, ages, and geographic locations. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies were included involving 489 participants, aged 16 to 81, from nine countries, focusing on one non-visible disability or illness, or multiple. We developed four themes for the disclosure decision-making process (self- and other-focused, experiential, and environmental/workplace factors) and two themes for the disclosure/concealment event (disclosure/concealment logistics and timing) and noted emerging trends across ages, genders, disability and illness types, and geographic locations. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge obtained could be used among professionals who support persons with non-visible disabilities and illnesses to help them navigate disclosure at work, and to consider the role of age, genders, disability and illness types, and geographic locations on disclosure.
Authors: Marije Oosterhoff; Eelco A B Over; Anoukh van Giessen; Rudolf T Hoogenveen; Hans Bosma; Onno C P van Schayck; Manuela A Joore Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2020-12-09 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Salla Atkins; Simon Lewin; Helen Smith; Mark Engel; Atle Fretheim; Jimmy Volmink Journal: BMC Med Res Methodol Date: 2008-04-16 Impact factor: 4.615