Relationship Between Self‐Regulation Strategies and Vocational Capacity Among Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities in Japan

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BACKGROUND: Sustainable employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities-encompassing acquisition and retention-substantially relies on vocational capacity, a domain widely recognised in organisational psychology literature as being predicted by self-regulation. This study examines self-regulation strategies across the vocational continuum by exploring their structure, influencing factors, and relationship with vocational capacity. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 366 adult participants (67% male) with intellectual disabilities. RESULTS: Factor analysis identified five self-regulation strategies: flexible adjustment, goal-setting, work strategies, help-seeking, and environmental management. The application of these strategies was associated with the degree of intellectual disability and high school placement. Path analysis revealed that metacognitive strategies-specifically goal-setting and flexible adjustment-exerted a direct effect on work attitude and an indirect effect on vocational skills. CONCLUSIONS: To enhance vocational capacity among individuals with intellectual disabilities, support staff should prioritise the application of metacognitive strategies.