Self-Determination and the Enrollment in and Completion of Postsecondary Education for Students With Disabilities

This study conducted a secondary analysis using data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study–2 (NLTS-2) to examine the degree to which three of the four essential characteristics of self-determination (autonomy, psychological empowerment, and self-realization) predict enrollment in, and completion of, postsecondary education programs for students with disabilities. Results suggest autonomy and psychological empowerment influence students’ enrollment in postsecondary education programs; higher levels of autonomy in females increase their odds of enrolling in a 4-year university; and students attending a rural school with higher levels of psychological empowerment are less likely to enroll in a 4-year university. Self-realization was the only characteristic that affected students’ completion of a postsecondary education program. Implications of the findings for research and practice are discussed.