Predicting job-related expectancies and affective reactions to employees with disabilities from previous work experience

Abstract

The relationship between the quality of previous work experience with a coworker who was disabled, job-related expectancies of employees with disabilities, and affective reactions to employees with disabilities was investigated. Data from individuals who had worked with a coworker who was disabled were collected via an Internet-based survey. The quality of previous experience with coworkers with disabilities predicted job-related expectancies of employees with disabilities and affective reactions to employees with disabilities. More positive work experiences were associated with more positive expectancies and affective reactions. The relationship between previous experience and affective reactions was mediated by job-related expectancies. Perceptions of increased job difficulty that were attributed to a coworker who was disabled predicted less positive job-related expectancies and affective reactions. Copyright © 2005 by V. H. Winston & Son, Inc. All rights reserved.