Research Article

Being an Individual with Disabilities in the Career Development Process in Türkiye: A Phenomenological Study

Number: 60 January 26, 2026
TR EN

Being an Individual with Disabilities in the Career Development Process in Türkiye: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in their career development and the social-emotional learning skills required for career adaptability, based on their experiences. A phenomenological design was used, with a sample of 35 individuals (17 males, 18 females) selected via maximum variation sampling. Among the participants, 9 were high school students, 15 were university students, and 11 were public sector employees, with an average age of 23.1. The group included 19 individuals with visual impairments, four with hearing impairments, and 12 with physical disabilities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted both in person and online, using a form designed by the researchers. The data were analyzed with MAXQDA 12 software in two stages: first-cycle (in vivo coding) and second-cycle (pattern coding). Results showed that individuals with disabilities encounter various challenges in their career development, such as inadequate teaching methods, unequal opportunities, low self-esteem, prejudice, bullying, discrimination, and negative employer attitudes. Participants highlighted that social-emotional skills—self-awareness, self-regulation, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making— help them manage these challenges. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the difficulties individuals with disabilities face in their career paths and the importance of social-emotional learning skills for career adaptability, providing valuable insights into their career development.

Keywords

Career Counseling, Social Emotional Skills, Students with Disabilities

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval was obtained from Hacettepe University Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee (Date: 16.05.2024, No: E-16969557-050.04-00003526058)

Thanks

Arif ARSLAN is supported by TUBITAK within the scope of the 2211-A Domestic PhD Scholarship Program. We thank TUBITAK for their support.

References

  1. Aksoy, P., & Gresham, F. M. (2020). Theoretical Bases of" Social-Emotional Learning Intervention Programs" for Preschool Children. International Online Journal of Education and Teaching, 7(4), 1517-1531.
  2. Atwell, M. (2023). The role of social and emotional learning in future workforce readiness.
  3. Bacanlı, F., & Salman, N. (2024). Kariyer Uyumluluğu, Sosyal Duygusal Öğrenme ve Kariyer Umuları Arasındaki İlişkilerin İncelenmesi. Kariyer Psikolojik Danışmanlığı Dergisi, 7(1), 42-59. https://doi.org/10.58501/kpdd.1434951_3
  4. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
  5. Cascio, M. A., Lee, E., Vaudrin, N., & Freedman, D. A. (2019). A team-based approach to open coding: Considerations for creating intercoder consensus. Field Methods, 31(2), 116-130. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822X19838237
  6. Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. (CASEL). (2015). Effective social and emotional learning programs: Middle and high school edition. CASEL.
  7. Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. (CASEL). (2018). Keeping SEL developmental: The importance of a developmental lens for fostering and assessing SEL competencies. CASEL.
  8. Creswell, J. W. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. (4th ed.). Siyasal.
  9. Davis K. (2020). Disability and campus mental health. Mental Health America.
  10. Demirdöven, M., Arıcı, A., & Artan, T. (2025). A different perspective on academia: Experiences of visually impaired individuals in postgraduate education. Journal of Social Policy Studies, 25(66), 11-46. https://doi.org/10.21560/spcd.vi.1388616
APA
Arslan, A., & Özer, A. (2026). Being an Individual with Disabilities in the Career Development Process in Türkiye: A Phenomenological Study. Educational Academic Research, 60, 111-125. https://doi.org/10.33418/education.1685489
AMA
1.Arslan A, Özer A. Being an Individual with Disabilities in the Career Development Process in Türkiye: A Phenomenological Study. Educational Academic Research. 2026;(60):111-125. doi:10.33418/education.1685489
Chicago
Arslan, Arif, and Arif Özer. 2026. “Being an Individual With Disabilities in the Career Development Process in Türkiye: A Phenomenological Study”. Educational Academic Research, nos. 60: 111-25. https://doi.org/10.33418/education.1685489.
EndNote
Arslan A, Özer A (March 1, 2026) Being an Individual with Disabilities in the Career Development Process in Türkiye: A Phenomenological Study. Educational Academic Research 60 111–125.
IEEE
[1]A. Arslan and A. Özer, “Being an Individual with Disabilities in the Career Development Process in Türkiye: A Phenomenological Study”, Educational Academic Research, no. 60, pp. 111–125, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.33418/education.1685489.
ISNAD
Arslan, Arif - Özer, Arif. “Being an Individual With Disabilities in the Career Development Process in Türkiye: A Phenomenological Study”. Educational Academic Research. 60 (March 1, 2026): 111-125. https://doi.org/10.33418/education.1685489.
JAMA
1.Arslan A, Özer A. Being an Individual with Disabilities in the Career Development Process in Türkiye: A Phenomenological Study. Educational Academic Research. 2026;:111–125.
MLA
Arslan, Arif, and Arif Özer. “Being an Individual With Disabilities in the Career Development Process in Türkiye: A Phenomenological Study”. Educational Academic Research, no. 60, Mar. 2026, pp. 111-25, doi:10.33418/education.1685489.
Vancouver
1.Arif Arslan, Arif Özer. Being an Individual with Disabilities in the Career Development Process in Türkiye: A Phenomenological Study. Educational Academic Research. 2026 Mar. 1;(60):111-25. doi:10.33418/education.1685489