Debra Brucker

Deb Brucker
Research Associate Professor
Research Associate Professor
Phone: (603) 862-4320
Office: Institute on Disability, 10 West Edge Drive, Durham, NH 03824

As a research associate professor, Dr. Debra Brucker studies the economic, health, and social well-being of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. Her recent research has focused on: 1) testing the efficacy of a job crafting intervention on improving employment outcomes for workers with disabilities; 2) examining differences in quality of life among older adults who reside in urban v. rural areas; and 3) identifying barriers to and the implications of food security for persons with disabilities and older adults.

Professional Background

As a research associate professor, Dr. Debra Brucker studies the economic, health and social well-being of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. She has over 20 years of applied policy research experience and has held social and health policy research positions at academic institutions, research organizations, and state agencies.

Education

  • Ph.D., Resource Planning/Dev, Rutgers University
  • M.A., Public Administration, University of Delaware
  • B.A., Psychology, University of Delaware
  • B.A., Criminal Justice/Safety, University of Delaware

Research Interests

  • Public policy
  • Economics of Disability
  • Person With a Disability (Health/Safety/Medical)
  • Aging and life course
  • Food Assistance Programs
  • Food Security
  • Affordable Housing
  • Public Access Programs for People With Disabilities

Selected Publications

  • Henly, M., McDonough, C. M., Porcino, J., Peterik, K., Rasch, E. K., Marfeo, E. E., . . . Brucker, D. L. (2023). Linking job duties, functioning, and employment status using the Work-Disability Functional Assessment Battery (WD-FAB): An expert coding and quantitative analysis.. Work, 74(1), 75-87. doi:10.3233/WOR-211169

  • Brucker, D. L. (2022). Comparing effects of question set order and location within a survey instrument of two commonly used disability question sets among a U.S. population of adults.. Disabil Health J, 101424. doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2022.101424

  • Sundar, V., & Brucker, D. L. (2022). Work limitations as a moderator of the relationship between job crafting and work performance: results from an SEM analysis of cross-sectional survey data. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION. doi:10.1007/s10926-022-10055-6

  • Brucker, D. L., Lauer, E., & Boege, S. (2022). Americans Aging With Disabilities Are More Likely to Have Multiple Chronic Conditions. JOURNAL OF DISABILITY POLICY STUDIES. doi:10.1177/10442073221107079

  • Brucker, D. L., Stott, G., & Phillips, K. G. (2022). Food sufficiency and the utilization of free food resources for working-age Americans with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic (vol 14, 101153, 2021). DISABILITY AND HEALTH JOURNAL, 15(3). doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2022.101298

  • Brucker, D. L., & Coleman-Jensen, A. (2017). Food Insecurity Across the Adult Life Span for Persons With Disabilities. JOURNAL OF DISABILITY POLICY STUDIES, 28(2), 109-118. doi:10.1177/1044207317710701

  • Sevak, P., Houtenville, A. J., Brucker, D. L., & O'Neill, J. (2015). Individual Characteristics and the Disability Employment Gap. JOURNAL OF DISABILITY POLICY STUDIES, 26(2), 80-88. doi:10.1177/1044207315585823

  • Brucker, D. L., & Houtenville, A. J. (2015). People With Disabilities in the United States. ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION, 96(5), 771-774. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2015.02.024

  • Brucker, D. L., Mitra, S., Chaitoo, N., & Mauro, J. (2015). More Likely to Be Poor Whatever the Measure: Working-Age Persons with Disabilities in the United States. SOCIAL SCIENCE QUARTERLY, 96(1), 273-296. doi:10.1111/ssqu.12098

  • Hagner, D., Kurtz, A., Cloutier, H., Arakelian, C., Brucker, D. L., & May, J. (2012). Outcomes of a Family-Centered Transition Process for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders. FOCUS ON AUTISM AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, 27(1), 42-50. doi:10.1177/1088357611430841