Concepts of job satisfaction in people with intellectual disability

Abstract

Background There is a growing body of research on job satisfaction in people with intellectual disability (ID). However, little is known about the subjective concepts of job satisfaction in this population. Knowledge on the conceptualisation of job satisfaction in people with ID and whether currently used concepts are meaningful for this population are crucial prerequisites to purposeful research for this group. Method Qualitative interviews on subjective concepts of job satisfaction were conducted with 129 employees of sheltered workshops. Relevant concepts and associated aspects were extracted using content analysis. Results Concepts can be grouped into holistic concepts, facet-related concepts and self-actualising concepts of job satisfaction in people with ID. Twenty-five percent of the sample did not have any concept of job satisfaction. Conclusions The concepts of job satisfaction in people with ID are closely related to those concepts as reported in organisational psychology. However, sufficient comprehension of the term has to be ensured prior to conducting research on job satisfaction in people with ID.