Factors associating with the changes in life satisfaction among individuals with intellectual disabilities: a latent class growth model analysis

The current study aims to longitudinally analyze the types of latent growth groups according to change in the life satisfaction of individuals with intellectual disabilities, and examine the factors that are related to the classification of these groups. The life satisfaction of individuals with intellectual disabilities was analyzed using three-year longitudinal data of the Employment Panel Survey for the Disabled. A type of latent class growth model was identified and the effects of job satisfaction, job efficacy, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and disability acceptance on the potential group type were analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression. According to the results, four latent classes were identified: (a) those with high life satisfaction, (b) gradually decreasing life satisfaction, (c) gradually increasing life satisfaction, and (d) average life satisfaction. Further, the higher the job satisfaction, job efficacy, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and disability acceptance, the higher the probability of belonging to the higher life satisfaction group. Based on the results, practical implications for improving life satisfaction of individuals with intellectual disabilities and directions for future research were discussed.