Well-Being in the Transition to Adulthood: Differences by Disability

Gina Allen, University of Minnesota

Past research on the effects of disability on the transition to adulthood have shown significant impacts on the role accumulations associated with this period of the life course. I extend this research by considering how type of disability and experiences during the transition to adulthood impact the well-being - depression - of young adults. Results show significant impacts of little or no work experience, disability, and receiving government assistance are positively associated with increases in depressive symptomology; post-secondary educational attainment and current employment decrease levels of depression. These effects hold even when controlling for depression in adolescence. Results suggest that disability shapes transition experiences and these differential experiences yield significant mental health effects for young adults with disabilities.