Vocational Profiles of Individuals With Disabilities: A Latent Profile Analysis Using the Work Rehabilitation...

Understanding the diverse vocational functioning profiles of individuals with disabilities is crucial for effective, person-centered practice in vocational rehabilitation.

To identify latent profiles of vocational functioning on the basis of Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire (WORQ) scores of individuals with disabilities in Turkey and to investigate demographic predictors of profile membership.

Cross-sectional study using online survey methods.

Online data collection.

A total of 522 adults (67.8% male), ages 18-64 yr, literate, and possessing a health report confirming a disability rating of more than 40% were recruited.

Latent profile analysis was used to identify distinct vocational functioning profiles. Multinomial logistic regression examined predictors of profile membership. Latent profiles were derived from participant scores on the WORQ subdomains: Emotion, Cognition, Dexterity, and Mobility. Predictors included gender, education, and work experience.

Three distinct latent profiles were identified: Class 1 (n = 199), with the lowest scores across all subdomains; Class 2 (n = 83), with higher Emotion and Cognition scores but lower Dexterity and Mobility scores; and Class 3 (n = 240), with higher Dexterity and Mobility scores but lower Emotion and Cognition scores. Prior work experience significantly predicted membership likelihood between profiles (p = .031).

Individuals with disabilities exhibit distinct vocational functioning profiles, highlighting significant heterogeneity beyond diagnostic labels. These findings underscore the need for individualized assessment and intervention in vocational rehabilitation, tailoring approaches to profile characteristics. The profiles can guide goal setting and intervention planning, although further research is needed to explore links with specific diagnoses and employment outcomes. Plain-Language Summary: Understanding the different work-related strengths and challenges people with disabilities face is important to help them succeed in employment. This study identified three common patterns, or profiles, of individuals with disabilities on the basis of their self-reported emotional, thinking, physical movement, and fine motor skills related to work. One group had lower scores overall, another had stronger emotional and thinking skills but weaker physical skills, and the third had stronger physical skills but weaker emotional and thinking skills. Knowing these profiles can help occupational therapists tailor vocational rehabilitation programs to better meet each person's specific needs, focusing on the areas in which they need the most support to find and keep meaningful work.