Disability in the Transition to Adulthood: A Latent Pathway Analysis

Gina Allen, University of Minnesota
Ross Macmillan, University of Minnesota

This project investigates the role of disability in the transition to adulthood. Specifically, the research will model pathways in the transition to adulthood by focusing on similarity and difference in the order and timing of school leaving, entry into and continuity of paid employment and marriage, and the onset of parenthood. Our research addresses two specific issues: the ways in which disability shapes the transition to adulthood and the interaction of sex, disability and transitional experiences in young adult attainment. The data used in this research are from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health. First, we use a two-stage latent class approach that allows us to formally model heterogeneity in the structure of the transition to adulthood for disabled and non-disabled adolescents. Second, we examine the conjoint role that sex, disability and pathway into adulthood play in shaping occupational attainments in early adulthood. Implications are discussed.