Job Satisfaction of College Graduates with Learning Disabilities

Abstract

Job satisfaction, as assessed via five scales that posed questions concerning colleagues, work, supervision, pay, and promotion, as well as overall total job satisfaction, was examined for 55 self-identified college graduates with learning disabilities (LD) and 55 control graduates matched by gender, major, degree, and graduation year. All participants graduated from a competitive midwestern university from 1987 to 1994 and represented advantaged groups when compared to both LD and non-LD populations. The graduates with LD required significantly more time to complete their degrees and showed significantly lower CPAs. Data analysis indicated that the graduates with LD perceived themselves as receiving significantly less pay and promotion opportunities, and reported less total job satisfaction, than graduates without LD. However, no significant salary differences between the groups were found. The implications of these findings are examined.

Academic Performance of Students with Disabilities in Higher Education: Insights from a Study of One Catholic College

“…At this college, the findings in this study indicate that there is a significant difference in academic performance between these two groups as measured by GPA. This study, therefore, replicates the findings of Witte et al (1998).…”

“…Witte, Philips, and Kakela (1998) found that students with learning disabilities (LD) at Miami University, a liberal arts institution in Ohio, graduated with grade point averages (GPAs) significantly below the comparison group of students without disabilities. They also found that these students with LD, on average, took one semester longer to graduate.…”

Perceptions of Discrimination and Justice Among Employees with Disabilities

“…Perry et al (2000) found no relationship between disability status and job satisfaction. Other studies have revealed that employees with disabilities generally have lower levels of job satisfaction than non-disabled workers (Uppal 2005;Witte et al 1998). While the evidence somewhat mixed, it tends to favor lower job satisfaction among disabled workers.…”

Coping experience among students in higher education

“…Findings from different institutions of higher education have revealed that most students are employed and have to cope simultaneously with studies and a workload (Greenbaum et al, 1996;Witte et al, 1998;Madaus et al, 2002). Approximately 80% of the adults with LD were employed full time (Adelman & Vogel, 1990); most of them reported that their LD affected their work and other aspects of their life (Greenbaum et al, 1996).…”