The Impact of Disability Acceptance on Self-Efficacy among Working Individuals with Disabilities: Focusing on the Mediating Role of Occupational Ability

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effect of occupational ability on the relationship between disability acceptance and self-efficacy among working individuals with disabilities. For this analysis, data were extracted from the 8th wave of the Disability Employment Panel Survey conducted by the Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled (2023), involving a sample of 3,736 participants. The analysis methods employed include frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, and correlation analysis, with Baron and Kenny's (1986) stepwise analysis method used to test the mediating effects. Additionally, the SPSS Process macro was utilized for hypothesis testing and validation of the mediating effects. The results indicate that disability acceptance among working individuals with disabilities significantly influences self-efficacy both directly and indirectly through occupational ability, demonstrating a partial mediating effect. Furthermore, the bootstrapping analysis confirmed that the indirect effect of occupational ability was statistically significant. This suggests that a higher degree of disability acceptance enhances occupational ability, thereby increasing self-efficacy. Based on these findings, practical and policy implications are proposed to strengthen the occupational ability and self-efficacy of working individuals with disabilities.