Factors influencing the journey to work for young people with physical and/or neurological conditions.

PURPOSE: This study examined the challenges young people with a physical and/or neurological condition experience in their journey to work. This includes both their physical commute to work and transition to the workforce. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Insight was established through the development and testing of a model which extended the model of goal directed behavior. A survey was distributed to 200 young people with a physical and/or neurological condition. PLS-SEM analysis was conducted to identify factors which influence a young person with a physical and/or neurological disability's journey to work. RESULTS: The results suggest subjective norms, attitudes, anticipated negative emotions, and risk aversion underpin a young person's desire to journey to work (both physical commute to work and transition to workforce). This desire then encourages an individual's intentions to travel independently. Past behavior and perceived behavioral support are seen to encourage intentions, while employer support and social support lead to increased perceived behavioral control directly and intentions indirectly. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the importance of mental preparedness, having support available from employers, friends, and families, and access to transport that supports independence in encouraging and facilitating the journey to work for young adults with a neurological and/or physical disability.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONfPositive attitude, risk aversion, and expected negative emotions are key factors in the decision to commute to work independently for a young person with a physical and/or neurological disability.The more support a young person with a physical and/or neurological disability feels from their employer and social circle, the more likely they feel in control of their actions and to plan to journey to work independently.Encouraging social norms are likely to impact the desire and intention to journey to work independently for young people with a physical and/or neurological disability.Feeling in control and having successful previous transport experiences is likely to help predict whether young people with a physical and/or neurological disability will plan on commuting to work independently in the future.

Encouraging young adults with a disability to be independent in their journey to work: A segmentation and application of Theory of Planned Behaviour approach.

This study investigates how young adults with disabilities can be encouraged to be independent in their travel to work and thus, transition more smoothly into the workforce. Using cluster analysis, we identify three segment groups of young adults with physical disabilities. The Theory of Planned Behaviour is then applied to examine differences and identify strategies that could provide assistance and support to these groups of workers in their travel to work. This study is the first to segment this group of workers and identify strategies to mitigate the often-unique challenges they face in their physical journey to work.

Feature article coverage of Australian out-of-home care: portrayals and policy reform.

This article examines the issues that are typically identified in feature articles written about out-of-home care and how those issues are constructed and portrayed. It also considers the potential impact of the coverage upon the policy debates and outcomes that were occurring at the time.