Related Experiment Videos
Descriptive analysis of interactions between co-workers and supported employees
F R Rusch1, C Hughes, J R Johnson
1Department of Special Education, University of Illinois, Champaign 61820.
Mental Retardation
|August 1, 1991
Summary
Co-workers extensively interact with supported employees, including those with severe mental retardation. Surprisingly, co-workers often advocate for and train these employees, providing significant natural support in the workplace.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Disability Studies
- Organizational Behavior
Background:
- Understanding workplace dynamics is crucial for supported employment success.
- Limited research exists on the specific nature of co-worker interactions with supported employees, particularly those with intellectual disabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the types of interactions between non-disabled co-workers and supported employees.
- To investigate the extent and nature of support provided by co-workers to individuals with mental retardation in integrated work settings.
Main Methods:
- Observational or survey-based description of co-worker interactions.
- Categorization of interaction types (e.g., social, evaluative, training).
- Analysis of interaction frequency and roles assumed by co-workers.
Main Results:
- Co-workers engaged in extensive interactions with supported employees with mental retardation.
- High levels of advocacy and assumption of training/evaluation roles by co-workers were observed, especially for those with severe or profound mental retardation.
- These findings align with broader work behavior literature on natural support systems.
Conclusions:
- Co-workers play a vital role in supporting individuals with mental retardation in integrated employment.
- The findings highlight the potential for naturalistic support structures within the workplace.
- Further research can explore interventions to enhance these positive co-worker dynamics.