Gender Differences in the Influence of Discrimination Experience, Self-Esteem, and Socioeconomic Factors on Self-Rated Health of Parents Caring for Children with Disabilities

This study examined the impact of discriminatory experiences and self-esteem on the self-rated health of parents of children with disabilities, particularly focusing on the influence of gender. Data from 1,895 parents from the fifth wave of the Disability and Life Dynamics Panel, including 711 men and 1,184 women were analyzed using the chi-square and logistic regression. The data were analyzed in total and then subjected to further analysis according to gender to facilitate the comparison of the results. Discrimination and self-esteem had significant effects on self-rated health status. When analyzed by gender, the magnitude of the effects of discrimination and self-esteem was greater for men than for women. A significant difference was observed between male and female participants in terms of employment status, with a notable impact on self-rated health status reported among men, but not among women. This study’s findings indicate that high self-esteem and employment status are positively associated with the self-rated health status of parents of children with disabilities. Thus, implementing support programs to enhance self-esteem, sustain employment, and provide gender-specific assistance could promote healthier lives for children with disabilities and their parents.