To What Extent Does Adaptive Functioning of Vocational Training Participants With Intellectual Disabilities Predict Their Job Preferences?

Decades-long research into the role of occupational interests has demonstrated their importance for suitable employment and an effective and satisfying career (Nye, Prasad, & Rounds, 2021). Based on that knowledge, this study set out to determine the degree to which the adaptive functioning of vocational training participants with intellectual disabilities shapes their preferred job choices. The study sample consisted of 1,000 individuals with an intellectual disabil-ity, 547 men (54.70%) and 453 women (45.30%), who had enrolled in vocational training provided by urban and rural Vocational Training Centres. Their ages ranged from 19 to 67 years (M = 38.09, SD = 9.02). Data for analysis were col-lected using the Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System (ABAS-3) and the Reading-Free Job Choices Inventory for ID Persons (RFPJCI-ID). The study provided a wealth of data and an interesting insight into the predictors of the study participants’ preferences, or non-preferences, regarding specific jobs. Its findings partially confirmed the tested hypothesis, according to which adaptive functioning is a significant predictor of job areas favoured by vocational training participants with intellectual disability. The largest number of preferred job areas, eight out of twelve considered, was predicted by a higher score on the General Adaptive Composite. In five cases (areas I, II, III, IX, and X), it was a positive predictor, and in three cases (areas VI, VIII, and XII), it func-tioned as a negative predictor.