Vocational Profiles of Individuals With Disabilities: A Latent Profile Analysis Using the Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire (WORQ)

Individuals with disabilities exhibit distinct vocational functioning profiles, highlighting significant heterogeneity beyond diagnostic labels. These findings underscore the need for individualized assessment and intervention in vocational rehabilitation, tailoring approaches to profile characteristics. The profiles can guide goal setting and intervention planning, although further research is needed to explore links with specific diagnoses and employment outcomes. Plain-Language Summary: Understanding the different work-related strengths and challenges people with disabilities face is important to help them succeed in employment. This study identified three common patterns, or profiles, of individuals with disabilities on the basis of their self-reported emotional, thinking, physical movement, and fine motor skills related to work. One group had lower scores overall, another had stronger emotional and thinking skills but weaker physical skills, and the third had stronger physical skills but weaker emotional and thinking skills. Knowing these profiles can help occupational therapists tailor vocational rehabilitation programs to better meet each person's specific needs, focusing on the areas in which they need the most support to find and keep meaningful work.