Asset Effects on the Life Satisfaction of Workers with Disabilities in Korea: The Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem and Job Satisfaction

Abstract

The study aims to examine whether self-esteem and job satisfaction mediate the association between assets and life satisfaction of workers with disabilities in South Korea. In addition, the study examines the sequential mediational paths of assets, self-esteem, job satisfaction, and life satisfaction of workers with disabilities. The research utilized wave 2 survey data of the Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled in South Korea. The sample size of this study is 2,270 workers with disabilities. AMOS was employed for the tests of the path analyses. Key findings are as follows: First, the study found that self-esteem and job satisfaction, respectively, mediated the relationships between assets and life satisfaction of the sample. Second, the sequential mediational paths from assets to life satisfaction were supported by the empirical finding. The study concludes with several implications for practice and policy. First, financial literacy programs targeting workers with disabilities should be implemented to help them accumulate assets. Second, specialized saving plans for workers with disabilities will be helpful for them to accumulate assets for their development. Future research is suggested to examine diverse effects of assets on the life of workers with disability.