This study empirically examined the effects of employment on the self-esteem of individuals with developmental disabilities and investigated whether perceived family support moderates this relationship. The study utilized the raw data from the “2023 Survey on the Work and Life of People with Developmental Disabilities,” conducted by the Korea Employment Agency for Persons with Disabilities. The analysis focused on self-reported responses from 971 adults with developmental disabilities aged 15 and older, including 295 individuals with autism spectrum disorder and 676 individuals with intellectual disabilities. Hierarchical regression analysis was employed to test the effects of employment status, perceived family support, and their interaction on self-esteem. The results of the study were as follows. First, employment status was found to have a significant positive effect on self-esteem (β=.144, p<.001). Second, perceived family support regarding employment also had a significant positive effect on self-esteem (β=.097, p<.001), and it moderated the relationship between employment and self-esteem(interaction term β=.129, p<.01). Third, a simple slopes analysis revealed that the positive effect of employment on self-esteem was stronger among individuals who perceived higher levels of family support. These findings suggest that both employment experiences and perceived family support serve as critical psychosocial resources for the development of self-esteem among individuals with developmental disabilities. The study highlights the need for integrated interventions that simultaneously enhance supportive family attitudes and promote sustainable employment opportunities, offering policy and practice implications.
Jieun Baek (Wed,) studied this question.
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