Predictors of job satisfaction among individuals with disabilities: An analysis of South Korea's National Survey of employment for the disabled

• Predictors of job satisfaction for individuals with disabilities were investigated based on nationally collected data in South Korea.
• Life satisfaction and job environments directly predicted job satisfaction.
• The relationship between vocational preparedness and job satisfaction was mediated by job environments for individuals with moderate disabilities.
• Practical implications relevant to the roles of personal, vocational and job environment factors are discussed.

This study aims to explore the influences of personal, vocational, and job environment related factors that are associated with job satisfaction of individuals with disabilities in South Korea. Data for wage-based working employees from a nationwide survey were obtained, which resulted in a total number of 417 participants. The six hypotheses and mediation effects of personal and work related environmental factors were tested using the structural equation modeling drawn from existing research evidence. Results revealed that (a) life satisfaction and job related environments directly influenced job satisfaction; (b) the relationship between personal experience and job satisfaction was mediated by life satisfaction for both mild/moderate and severe/profound disabilities group; and (c) the mediating role of job environment between vocational preparedness and job satisfaction was only observed for individuals with mild/moderate disabilities. Summary of findings and implications for future research and practices are discussed.