Factors affecting the success of intellectually handicapped people placed in unsheltered employment : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

Abstract

This study aimed at providing some initial information about those variables associated with 'success' of intellectually handicapped people working in unsheltered jobs in New Zealand. Subjects were selected from clients of the local Branch of the New Zealand Society for the Intellectually Handicapped using vocational status and supervisor consensus. Two groups of 18 subjects each were compared on demographic, social and vocational variables while controlling for sex and secondary handicap. For one assessment instrument, it was also necessary to control for the independence of subscale pairs. Results indicated that further refinement of the Adaptive Functioning Index scales was required but that programmes designed to improve social problem solving ability and communication skills may aid in placing and maintaining trainees in unsheltered jobs. The adherance to a client-centered placement procedure was advocated together with increases in the documentation of training programmes. These steps would allow the expansion of the present study to one with improved control procedures and wider scope.