Employment success among adults who have received welfare and who are diagnosed with learning disabilities: Exploring the additive predictive value of adaptive behavior

This research used the task and adaptability components of Allworth and Hesketh's (1999) model of employment success to examine adult women diagnosed with both learning disabilities and borderline intellectual functioning who were receiving or had received welfare assistance (Temporary Aid to Needy Families). The purpose of the study was to determine the relative predictive power of variables assessing the severity of learning disability and adaptive behaviors in determining employment success among this population. A quantitative research methodology was employed. The final sample consisted of 36 predominately Hispanic, young women who had been diagnosed with a learning disability and borderline intellectual functioning (full scale IQ between 71 and 84) and who also experienced a myriad of other life stressors (e.g., mental health problems, domestic violence victimization). There were no significant relationships between the adaptive behavior measures and the LD discrepancy scores. In addition, there were no positive associations between the adaptive behavior measures and employment success; contrary to expectations, the chi-square analyses revealed that the greater the number of times quit, the higher the General Adaptive Composite score and the higher the Conceptual and Practical subdomains of adaptive behaviors. Based on the chi-square analysis, there were no positive associations between LD discrepancy scores and the employment success variables; contrary to expectations, the more severe the VIQ-math learning disability, the fewer reported months employed during the past 36 months. A Pearson correlation revealed the only one positive association between the LD discrepancy scores and learning disability severity: Number of months unemployed was significantly correlated with the PIQ-reading LD discrepancy score. These results were discussed in light of the low power obtained due to myriad difficulties recruiting participants and the lack of applicability of Allworth and Hesketh's (1999) model to this sample.;Keywords: welfare, learning disabilities, borderline intellectual functioning, adaptive behavior, employment success.