AgrAbility Quality of Life Profile Transitions and Relationships with Independent Living and Working

AgrAbility is a program that serves agricultural workers with disabilities. It aims to enhance quality of life and strengthen communities. Although AgrAbility can improve quality of life (QoL), there is limited evidence about influence on the different QoL domains. Three QoL profiles were identified that differed on psychological domains. This study extends the understanding of QoL profiles by comparing the QoL profiles across time points for those who did and did not receive AgrAbility services. Specifically, we explored how individuals' transition profiles change over time and relate that transition to independent living and working (ILW).

The sample was 459 farmers and ranchers with disabilities who completed the McGill Quality of Life (MQOL) survey at Time 1. Of those, 359 received AgrAbility services following their completion of the MQOL at Time 1. All individuals completed a follow-up QoL survey at Time 2, with an average of 18 months between assessment points. Latent profile analysis was employed to examine groupings of individuals on the variables of physical, psychological, existential, and social well-being. Profile transition analyses were conducted to explore profile change from Time 1 to Time 2. Descriptive analysis of profile membership and predictive models were used to compare the change in profiles for those receiving and not receiving services. Analyses were performed using Mplus version 8.11.

Three QoL profiles were identified representing Low Existential/Social, High Existential/Social, and Moderate levels across QoL dimensions, replicating a previous study. Initial profile membership and transitions between profiles differed between those who did and did not receive services. Although QoL profiles were relatively stable across time, the AgrAbility involvement was related to transitioning to the more adaptive profile of High Existential/Social QoL. The AgrAbility group had lower ILW scores at Time 1, but did not differ from the group not receiving services at Time 2 showing improved ILW.

Profile changes show benefits of receiving AgrAbility services for increasing QoL in the areas of existential and social domains. The knowledge gained by identifying these profile changes can improve our understanding of the outcomes of receiving AgrAbility services and could help with future targeted interventions.