Disability Self-Identification and Well-Being in Emerging Adults

Abstract

Research suggests that emerging adults (EAs) with a disabling impairment experience poor psychosocial outcomes and delayed markers of adulthood. Given the numbers of EA with a disabling impairment who do not self-identify as having a disability, we examine a multigroup structural model of positive disability identity based on disability self-identification. Participants (n = 2,016) completed assessments of positive disability identity, psychosocial outcomes, and markers of adulthood. Most participants with a disabling impairment did not self-identify as having a disability (68%). Positive disability identity, maintaining a positive view of disability, was associated with increased life satisfaction, regardless of whether EA self-identify as having a disability. Exploratory analyses suggest that EA with psychiatric disabilities experience the most negative psychosocial outcomes. Findings suggest that maintaining a positive view of disability is associated with favorable outcomes. However, intervention with EA who do not self-identify is challenging, as they may not seek support services.