Requesting workplace accommodations: Impact of self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, and positive affect.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the impacts of self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, and positive affect on intentions to request workplace accommodations among people with disabilities (PWDs).

METHOD: Seven-hundred and fourteen adults with disabilities participated in an online survey study. This study used structural equation modeling to examine the impact of self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, and positive affect on intentions to request workplace accommodations.

RESULTS: The results showed that self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, and positive affect accounted for 55.1% of the variance in accommodation request intentions.

CONCLUSIONS: Accommodation request is a complex process that involves cognitive and affective factors for individuals with disabilities. Rehabilitation professionals need to help PWDs boost their level of self-efficacy and outcome expectancy by engaging in accommodation request and goal-setting skills training. In addition, rehabilitation professionals should assist PWDs to recognize the significance of positive affect in the process of accommodation request. (PsycINFO Database Record