Dual Mediating Effects of Social Capital and Employment Maintenance between the Level of Digital Information Usage and Life Satisfaction of People with Disabilities

This study examines how the level of digital utilization affects the quality of life among individuals with developmental disabilities, focusing on the dual mediating roles of social capital and employment retention. Data were collected through a survey of 301 adults with developmental disabilities residing in Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea. The data were analyzed using Model 6 of the PROCESS macro for SPSS to assess sequential multiple mediation effects. The results revealed a negative direct effect of digital utilization on quality of life, but significant positive indirect effects emerged through the sequential mediating pathways of social capital and employment retention. Specifically, the findings demonstrated that digital engagement enhances quality of life by facilitating social network formation and employment stability. Drawing on digital resource theory and social capital theory, the study highlights the transformative potential of digital utilization, not merely as a technical skill but as a critical asset for promoting social inclusion. These findings underscore the necessity of an integrated approach in disability welfare policy that links digital competency development, social capital enhancement, and employment support.