Exploring the Relationship Between Self-Determination and Economic Hardship Constructs Among Adolescents With and Without Disabilities

In this registered report, we examined interrelationships between established constructs of self-determination and economic hardship using data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS2012). We tested the hypothesized factor structure of selected NLTS2012 items assessing constructs associated with self-determination (i.e., autonomy, psychological empowerment, and self-realization) using the full sample of U.S. youth with and without disabilities. Using latent variable modeling, we explored interrelationships among these constructs and economic hardship across disability and race/ethnicity groups. The self-determination constructs were confirmed, two of which (autonomy and psychological empowerment) resulted in significant inverse relationships with economic hardship. Different patterns emerged for youth with intersecting identities of disability, race, and ethnicity. Findings will inform culturally responsive approaches to transition service delivery that address and reduce systemic barriers, as well as provide support for promoting self-determination skills for all youth.