ABSTRACT

Title of Dissertation: VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION OUTCOMES: A STUDY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN REHABILITATION GOALS AND EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES.

Scott Francis Beveridge, Doctor of Philosophy, 2003

Dissertation directed by: Associate Proffessor Ellen S. Fabian Department of Counseling and Personnel Services

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between vocational rehabilitation clients' Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) rehabilitation goals and employment outcomes. The study examined the relationship between participants' demographic and disability variables to determine the effect on employment outcomes. The study also explored whether attaining a job congruent with the (IPE) vocational rehabilitation goal increased the participant's vocational satisfaction and wages. Study participants were 171 vocational rehabilitation clients served by the Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) who were successfully rehabilitated and closed (Status 26) in 2002. Participants research data was obtained from the DORS computerized database

Results generally supported the relationship between Holland's person-environment congruence constructs to employment outcomes for this population. The IPE goal and employment outcome congruency was found to have a significant effect on participants' wages (at the .01 level). The mean weekly wage for participants who obtained an employment outcome congruent to the IPE goal earned $529.88. Participants who obtained a related employment outcome earned $343.85, and participants who obtained an employment outcome not related to the IPE goal earned $286.22. In addition, educational attainment and disability category were also found to effect vocational rehabilitation outcomes. However, person-environment congruence did not increase participants' vocational satisfaction.

This study adds to the literature on vocational rehabilitation employment outcomes by confirming the relationship between Holland's person-environment congruency to successful outcomes among this population. This study was the first to demonstrate a link between person-environment congruency and wages for the vocational rehabilitation population. Theorectical, applied, research implications, limitations of the study and directions for future research are discussed.