Future Aspirations of Young Women With Disabilities: An Examination of Social Cognitive Career Theory

Oct 15, 2026

Young women with disabilities encounter multiple barriers that constrain career pathways. Limited research has explored how social cognitive career theory constructs—career self-efficacy and outcome expectations—shape future aspirations. This study tested direct links, examined mediation through autonomy and self-realization, and assessed mental health as a moderator for young women with disabilities. Results suggested outcome expectations may be especially influential, while mental health barriers negatively affect aspirations, with implications for research and practice.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background and Rationale

Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT)

Employment, Earnings, and Mental Health Context

Study Focus and Conceptual Model

Future Aspirations of Young Women With Disabilities: An Examination of Social Cognitive Career Theory Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals 2020, Vol. 43(3) 169–179 © Hammill Institute on Disabilities 2020 Article reuse guidelines: [sagepub.com/journals-permissions](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[ ](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[DOI: 10.1177/2165143420920168](DOI: 10.1177/2165143420920168)[ ](DOI: 10.1177/2165143420920168)[cdtei.sagepub.com](cdtei.sagepub.com) Yen K. Pham, PhD 1, Kara A. Hirano, PhD2, Lauren Lindstrom, PhD3, and David S. DeGarmo, PhD4 Abstract Young women with disabilities face multiple barriers that limit their career pathways. Little research has been conducted to examine how cognitive constructs of career self-efficacy and outcome expectations contribute to their future aspirations. This study examined direct relationships between career self-efficacy and outcome expectations on future aspirations, mediating effects of autonomy and self-realization on these relationships, and moderating effects of mental health on these links for young women with disabilities. Although existing research on social cognitive career theory has focused on career self-efficacy, results from this study indicated that outcome expectations might have an even stronger influence on future aspirations. Mental health barriers negatively impact future aspirations of the study’s sample. Limitations and implications for research and practice were discussed. Keywords career self-efficacy, outcome expectations, future aspirations, young women with disabilities, mental health, causal agency theory Despite earning more college degrees than men for the last 25 years, women’s median earnings are less than men’s median earnings at every level of education (American Association of University Women, 2018) . Over a half-century since the passage of the Equal Pay Act, full-time working women still earn on average 80 cents for every dollar a man earns (U.S. Census Bureau, 2018) . Women with disabilities experience an even wider wage gap. According to U.S. Census Bureau (2017), individuals (men and women) with disabilities’median earnings were 66% of individuals without disabilities’ median earnings; among those with disabilities, women’s median earnings were 72% of men’s median earnings (U.S. Census Bureau, 2017) . In other words, women with disabilities earn less than men with disabilities, even less than women without disabilities, and significantly less than men without disabilities. Furthermore, women with disabilities face multiple complex barriers to career development and economic stability (Smith, 2007; U.S. Agency for International Development, 2013) . Although their experiences may be similar to other women in the workplace, they may encounter unique barriers in unequal hiring, training, and promotional practices that are prejudicial to women with disabilities, such as low expectations, lack of role models, and limited opportunities for career advancement (Noonan et al., 2004) . A job provides more than an income. A fulfilling work life can be a source of financial independence, personal fulfillment, and psychosocial wellbeing—all of which carry positive spillover effects to overall quality of life (Bandura et al., 2001) . Similarly, a contentious work life can have aversive impactson a person’s life including family relations and personal wellbeing (Bandura et al., 2001) . The attainment of career aspirations has important consequences for women’s mental health later in life. In a longitudinal sample of 3,499 women without disabilities, Carr (1997) found that women who did not attain their earlier career goals experienced less purpose in life and higher levels of depression. Given the impact of employment on long-term quality of life, the field of secondary special education and transition has been investigating malleable psycho-educational factors that can support young women with d

FAQs

What barriers limit career pathways for young women with disabilities?

Young women with disabilities face multiple barriers that restrict their career pathways. The text highlights barriers tied to cognitive career constructs and mental health, along with workplace-related factors like low expectations and limited opportunities.

How does the study connect career self-efficacy and outcome expectations to future aspirations?

The study examines direct relationships between career self-efficacy and outcome expectations and how these relate to future aspirations. It also evaluates mediating roles of autonomy and self-realization.

What role does mental health play in shaping future aspirations?

Mental health acts as a moderating factor in the study’s model, and mental health barriers negatively impact future aspirations in the sample.

Oct 15, 2026

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