Autonomy, Self-Realization, and Self-Advocacy and the School- and Career-Related Adjustment of Adolescent Girls With Disabilities
Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals
Published online on March 13, 2015
Abstract
The purpose of the current study was to identify component elements of self-determination that may promote positive or buffer negative school- and career-related adjustment of adolescent girls with disabilities or with multiple risk factors. Autonomy, self-realization, and self-advocacy were examined together to ascertain both their cumulative and unique contributions to indicators of school- and career-related adjustment of 111 adolescent girls. Results of hierarchical regression analyses indicated that together these component elements were significantly and positively associated with indicators of school- and career-related adjustment, after controlling for the effects of demographic covariates. Autonomy was the most consistent and robust predictor while self-realization and self-advocacy each contributed to aspects of adjustment across school and career domains.