Factors influencing the journey to work for young people with physical and/or neurological conditions

Abstract

Purpose

This study examined the challenges young people with a physical and/or neurological condition experience in their journey to work. This includes both their physical commute to work and transition to the workforce.

Materials and methods

Insight was established through the development and testing of a model which extended the model of goal directed behavior. A survey was distributed to 200 young people with a physical and/or neurological condition. PLS-SEM analysis was conducted to identify factors which influence a young person with a physical and/or neurological disability’s journey to work.

Results

The results suggest subjective norms, attitudes, anticipated negative emotions, and risk aversion underpin a young person’s desire to journey to work (both physical commute to work and transition to workforce). This desire then encourages an individual’s intentions to travel independently. Past behavior and perceived behavioral support are seen to encourage intentions, while employer support and social support lead to increased perceived behavioral control directly and intentions indirectly.

Conclusions

The study highlights the importance of mental preparedness, having support available from employers, friends, and families, and access to transport that supports independence in encouraging and facilitating the journey to work for young adults with a neurological and/or physical disability.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONf

• Positive attitude, risk aversion, and expected negative emotions are key factors in the decision to commute to work independently for a young person with a physical and/or neurological disability.

• The more support a young person with a physical and/or neurological disability feels from their employer and social circle, the more likely they feel in control of their actions and to plan to journey to work independently.

• Encouraging social norms are likely to impact the desire and intention to journey to work independently for young people with a physical and/or neurological disability.

• Feeling in control and having successful previous transport experiences is likely to help predict whether young people with a physical and/or neurological disability will plan on commuting to work independently in the future.

Keywords:

• Journey to work
• independence
• transport
• young adult
• goal directed behavior

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The research was supported by an Australian Council Linkage Grant LP150100168 – Seamless Journeys to Work for Young Adults with Physical Disabilities.