In pursuit of meaningful occupation: Employment and occupational outcomes for older Irish adults with an intellectual disability

Abstract

Background Adults with an intellectual disability (ID) have much lower rates of employment than their counterparts without intellectual disability, which increases their risk of poverty and social exclusion. Differential treatment of people with intellectual disability in welfare and training policies suggests an expectation they will be passive welfare recipients rather than productive employees. Methods This paper aims to examine occupational activities by older people with intellectual disability in Ireland, exploring factors influencing outcomes using data from the IDS‐TILDA study (n = 708). Results Most people were unemployed but engaged in regular occupational activity. Occupational activity was associated with better emotional/mental health. Activities of Daily Living (ADL) functioning was associated with an active occupational status, while social supports most strongly predicted high occupational engagement across a range of activities. Conclusions A focus on the individual meaning derived from a broad range of engagement may better support people with intellectual disabilities to benefit from regular occupational activity.

Participation in employment and day care for adults with intellectual disabilities: Equal access for all?

“…Meaningful activities positively impact health, quality of life (QOL), and well‐being (Fleming et al, 2013; Heggebø, 2016; McCausland et al, 2020; van der Noordt et al, 2014). Schalock's (2002) model of QOL includes perceptions, behaviours, and conditions that reflect a person's well‐being.…”

“…Research has indicated that a higher level of functioning increases the likelihood of employment (Martorell et al, 2008;McCausland et al, 2020) and that the ability to manage activities of daily living is the best predictor of success in work for this population (Eagar et al, 2006;McCausland et al, 2020).…”

Effects of vocational rehabilitation group intervention on motivation and occupational self‐awareness in individuals with intellectual disabilities: A single blind, randomised control study

“…Therefore, working enables the individuals to improve their productivity and gain the employee role (Kielhofner, 2002; Kielhofner & Barrett, 1998). Employment is when individuals receive financial benefits from the work they have been doing (Kielhofner, 2009; McCausland et al, 2020). Employment enables individuals to acquire financial independence through the work they are doing, meet societal expectations, experience success and obtain self‐management skills (Gobelet & Franchignoni, 2006; Ross, 2007).…”

“…There are many factors affecting the employment rates of individuals with intellectual disability including the environmental, cultural, economic and political factors as well as the abovementioned individual factors (Channon, 2014). However, according to McCausland et al while most individuals with intellectual disabilities do not engage in employment, most of them engage in some other form of occupation, or another occupational activity such as sports activities, handcrafting activities and music (Abdülbaki et al, 2017; Hekim & Tokgöz, 2016; McCausland et al, 2020). Additionally, in most cases, individuals with intellectual disabilities find these occupational activities meaningful and value these activities greatly (McCausland et al, 2020).…”

“…However, according to McCausland et al while most individuals with intellectual disabilities do not engage in employment, most of them engage in some other form of occupation, or another occupational activity such as sports activities, handcrafting activities and music (Abdülbaki et al, 2017; Hekim & Tokgöz, 2016; McCausland et al, 2020). Additionally, in most cases, individuals with intellectual disabilities find these occupational activities meaningful and value these activities greatly (McCausland et al, 2020). Consequently, they engage in occupational activities other than employment in order to self‐actualize and perform valuable occupations in life (Channon, 2014; Mahoney et al, 2016).…”