Factors influencing disabled people’s professional activity: personal characteristics

The following article is the third publication presenting the results of a study concerning the professional activity of handicapped people (see: „Nauka” 1/2008 and „Nauka” 2/2008). The purpose of this part of the research was to determine whether there is a relationship between professional status, life satisfaction, and various personal competencies among handicapped people. Apart from this, we also wanted to establish what conditions personal competencies by focusing on social-demographic factors and disability characteristics. The tested competencies were isolated from the administered questionnaire using a factor analysis. Seven factors were found: locus of control, level of aspiration, potential for development, effort invested in development, impulsiveness, stamina, and mood. Analysis of the results leads to the following conclusions: (1) personal competencies are significantly related to professional activity for handicapped people, as is level of life satisfaction, (2) personal competencies are related to external factors shaping the development of handicapped people, such as: dwelling, gender, level of disability, and type of disability.