The relationship between emotional experience with dyslexia and work self-efficacy among adults with dyslexia

Dyslexia. 2018 Feb;24(1):17-32. doi: 10.1002/dys.1575. Epub 2017 Dec 12.

Abstract

This study responds to a call for more research on working adults with dyslexia investigating how employment-related factors affect and relate to one another. Two important work-related factors are self-efficacy and emotional experience with dyslexia. Work self-efficacy is viewed one of the most vital intrapersonal capacities in the work environment. It can be viewed as a subjective indicator of work success and is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct. Research speaks to a unique emotional experience stemming from living with an often misunderstood and stereotyped learning difference. The participants were 173 working adults with dyslexia (average age = 43.5 years, females = 56.6%) who participated in a web-based survey. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that more negative or uncomfortable emotions emanating from living with dyslexia predicted lower levels of total work self-efficacy, work attributes, work competency, and work anxiety over and beyond background contextual variables. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Keywords: adults; dyslexia; emotional; self-efficacy; work.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dyslexia / psychology*
  • Emotions*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Self Efficacy*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Work / psychology*