An Exploratory Study of General Self-Efficacy and Employment in Adults with Retinitis Pigmentosa

Abstract

Introduction: In this study, the author examined the association between general self-efficacy (GSE) and employment status in working-age adults with retinitis pigmentosa (RP; N = 183). The author further examined the associations between employment status and factors that were previously found to be linked to employment outcomes in individuals with visual impairments: educational attainment, mobility tool use (i.e., use of dog guide or cane), ability to drive, age, gender, and age at onset of visual impairment. Methods: Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze cross-sectional data collected online in 2015. Results: Findings indicated that individuals with RP who have a bachelor’s degree or higher had significantly higher odds of being employed ( p < .01) and that individuals with RP who use a cane or dog guide had significantly lower odds of being employed ( p < .01). Although not statistically significant, findings further indicated that individuals with RP who have higher GSE had higher odds of being employed ( p = .07) and that individuals who are able to drive had 130% higher odds of being employed ( p = .06). Discussion: Results demonstrated an association between GSE and employment status, after controlling for factors that were previously linked to employment outcomes in individuals with visual impairment. Implications for practitioners: Self-efficacy is an alterable cognitive construct and may be the target of interventions to increase employment outcomes for adults with RP or other eye conditions.

Employment outcomes and experiences of people with seeing disability in Canada: An analysis of the Canadian Survey on Disability 2017

“…A recent study found that one of the most common causes of non-acceptance of assistive devices among people with visual impairments was social stigma and the fear of loss of employment, especially in working-age adults [ 52 ]. Similarly, another study exploring employment outcomes among adults with Retinitis Pigmentosa found that use of a cane or guide dog significantly reduced the odds of being employed among study participants [ 53 ]. These findings point to the fact that social acceptability towards aids and assistive devices is still low, especially for traditional or non-mainstream devices, and efforts are needed to change such attitudes.…”

The Underutilization of Mental Health Care Services in the Lives of People with Blindness or Visual Impairment: A Literature Review on Rehabilitation Factors Toward Provision

“…Recommendations for VR counselors to screen employers’ organizational attitudes toward visual impairment were offered. Zapata 89 People with BVI with RP diagnosis; N = 183. Purposive sampling OS with measure; multiple logistical regression analysis Results indicated that individuals with RP who have elevated levels of Self-efficacy had higher odds of employment, while those who utilized a mobility tool had lower odds.…”

Predictors for work participation of people with visual impairments: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…27,70,72,73,80 The severity of visual impairment (e.g., total/legal blindness, low vision) or fulfilment of certain criteria for low vision (e.g., the criteria for visual impairment by the International Classification of Diseases [ICD] or the WHO) was reported in the majority of studies. But only a few studies 74,[81][82][83][84][85][86] provided more information about the diagnoses of visually impaired participants. Some studies (42%) also reported additional disabilities (nonvisual), such as physical or mental disabilities.…”