Future career expectations of college students - the contribution of disability status, self-advocacy, self-efficacy, and support

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examined future career expectations of college students with and without learning disabilities (LD) and/or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) while focusing on the contribution of academic self-efficacy, self-advocacy, and family and academic support. Among participants with disabilities, assistance from support centres was also examined. Participants were 342 college students: 179 with LD and/or ADHD and 163 without disabilities. They completed a self-advocacy questionnaire, a general academic self-efficacy scale, a future expectations scale, and a background questionnaire. Whereas students with LD and/or ADHD reported lower levels of academic self-efficacy than students without disabilities, there were no significant differences between the two groups in future expectations. One component of self-advocacy (knowledge of self), family support, and academic self-efficacy were significant predictors of participants’ future career expectations. When participants with disabilities were examined separately, only knowledge of self and academic self-efficacy were significant predictors. Implications for research and practice are discussed.