Physical Disabilities in Adolescence and Educational Attainment in Adulthood: The Mediating Role of Expectations, Discipline, and School Relationships
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| Title: | Physical Disabilities in Adolescence and Educational Attainment in Adulthood: The Mediating Role of Expectations, Discipline, and School Relationships |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Hyewon Son, Hayun Jang, S. V. Subramanian, Jinho Kim (ORCID |
| Source: | Youth & Society. 2026 58(3):454-473. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 20 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (DHHS/NIH) |
| Contract Number: | P01HD31921 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Physical Disabilities, Adolescents, Educational Attainment, Young Adults, Correlation, Expectation, Suspension, Teacher Student Relationship, Discipline, Aspiration, Expulsion, Peer Relationship, Student College Relationship |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health |
| DOI: | 10.1177/0044118X251360353 |
| ISSN: | 0044-118X 1552-8499 |
| Abstract: | Although prior research has examined the impact of developmental disabilities on educational outcomes, limited attention has been paid to physical disabilities and the mechanisms underlying their effects. This study investigates the relationship between adolescent physical disabilities and educational attainment in young adulthood using data from Waves I, II, and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. School fixed effects models were employed to adjust for contextual confounding. Multivariate bootstrapped mediation analyses explored potential pathways, including educational effort, disciplinary actions, aspirations and expectations, and school-based relationships. Findings indicate that a higher physical disability index is significantly associated with lower educational attainment. Educational expectations emerged as the most significant mediator, followed by suspension and difficulties in teacher relationships. Educational effort did not significantly mediate the relationship. These findings highlight the importance of supporting students with physical disabilities in social-psychological domains to enhance long-term educational outcomes. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1500809 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Although prior research has examined the impact of developmental disabilities on educational outcomes, limited attention has been paid to physical disabilities and the mechanisms underlying their effects. This study investigates the relationship between adolescent physical disabilities and educational attainment in young adulthood using data from Waves I, II, and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. School fixed effects models were employed to adjust for contextual confounding. Multivariate bootstrapped mediation analyses explored potential pathways, including educational effort, disciplinary actions, aspirations and expectations, and school-based relationships. Findings indicate that a higher physical disability index is significantly associated with lower educational attainment. Educational expectations emerged as the most significant mediator, followed by suspension and difficulties in teacher relationships. Educational effort did not significantly mediate the relationship. These findings highlight the importance of supporting students with physical disabilities in social-psychological domains to enhance long-term educational outcomes. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0044-118X 1552-8499 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/0044118X251360353 |
