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Autism and Developmental Disorders
2020. Vol. 18, no. 3, 12–21
doi:10.17759/autdd.2020180302
ISSN: 1994-1617 / 2413-4317 (online)

The Relationship Between Quality of Life and Job Satisfaction in Autistic Workers

650

D. Hedley, S.M. Bury, J.R. Spoor

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Abstract

The current research sought to understand the relationship between job satisfaction and quality of life in employed individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The research focuses on participants involved in a supported employment program for individuals with ASD, the DXC Technology Dandelion Program. We examined the sustained impact of participating in the supported employment program on quality of life and job satisfaction, via a longitudinal survey of the employees with ASD. Quality of life was assessed with the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief, and intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction were assessed with the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (Short Form). Results indicated small but statistically non-significant (using an adjusted significance level of .001) changes in both quality of life and job satisfaction across a 12-month period. Results are discussed in terms of how to further improve the employment program and support employees with ASD.

General Information

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, disability, job satisfaction, quality of life, supported employment, adults, vocation

Journal rubric: Expert opinion

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/autdd.2020180302

Funding. Research reported in this study was supported by DXC Technology and the Australian Government Department of Human Services. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and has not been approved or endorsed by DXC Technology or the Australian Government Department of Human Services

Acknowledgements. We thank the individuals who participated in this study

For citation: Hedley D., Bury S.M., Spoor J.R. The Relationship Between Quality of Life and Job Satisfaction in Autistic Workers. Autizm i narusheniya razvitiya = Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2020. Vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 12–21. DOI: 10.17759/autdd.2020180302.

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Information About the Authors

D. Hedley, PhD, Research Fellow of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6256-7104, e-mail: d.hedley@latrobe.edu.au

Simon M. Bury, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1273-9091, e-mail: s.bury@latrobe.edu.au

Jennifer R. Spoor, PhD, Deputy Director of the MBA Program of the Department of Management, Sport and Tourism, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1205-8317, e-mail: j.spoor@latrobe.edu.au

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