Family Contribution to the Vocational Lives of Vocationally Competent Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a qualitative research study of vocationally competent young adults with mild intellectual disabilities. The purpose of the study was to examine the contributions which families made to the success of these young adults in competitive employment. The participants were clients of a competitive employment and training program who were purposively sampled using the criterion of having maintained competitive employment for 6 months and ranged in age from 19 to 30 years. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with the participants and some of their family members. Content analysis was used to generate categories and themes. The significant finding was how families contribute to the individuals' efforts to maintain competitive employment. Analysis of the themes indicated that certain family characteristics led to more successful employment outcomes. These characteristics were moral support, practical assistance, role models of appropriate work ethic, protection from difficulties and exploitation, and family cohesion. An interesting finding was that the families responded to these young people as if they were in an earlier developmental stage except in the area of employment. Implications for families and vocational education practitioners are suggested.