Community perception towards employment of people with Down syndrome in Malaysia: a mixed-method study
This study examines the employability of people with Down syndrome (PDS) by assessing knowledge, attitudes, productivity and challenges from a community perspective. A concurrent parallel mixed methods design combined quantitative data from 104 surveys and qualitative data from 32 unstructured inter...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Cogent Social Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2025.2474189 |
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| author | Md Mizanur Rahman Ting Chuong Hock Razitasham Safii Rosalia Saimon Yoke Yong Chen Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh Abg Safuan Adenan |
| author_facet | Md Mizanur Rahman Ting Chuong Hock Razitasham Safii Rosalia Saimon Yoke Yong Chen Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh Abg Safuan Adenan |
| author_sort | Md Mizanur Rahman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examines the employability of people with Down syndrome (PDS) by assessing knowledge, attitudes, productivity and challenges from a community perspective. A concurrent parallel mixed methods design combined quantitative data from 104 surveys and qualitative data from 32 unstructured interviews, providing a multifaceted understanding of the issue. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Spearman rank correlation, while qualitative data were examined with Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Results showed moderate knowledge of PDS employability rights and legal information but significant gaps in procedural knowledge. Attitudes were generally positive, supporting inclusive employment policies. Productivity perceptions were moderately positive, with societal ignorance and cost concerns noted as challenges. Qualitative findings supported these results and emphasised the need for better PDS training, support and the identification of communication barriers and physical and cognitive limitations. This study highlights the need to improve community knowledge, foster positive attitudes and address challenges to enhance PDS employability. Recommendations include targeted education programmes, supportive work environments, robust policy enforcement and specialised training programmes for PDS and potential employers to bridge communication barriers and address physical and cognitive limitations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4a934ed35dec475f9f80a4acec2b98cc |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2331-1886 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cogent Social Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-4a934ed35dec475f9f80a4acec2b98cc2025-08-20T02:30:12ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Social Sciences2331-18862025-12-0111110.1080/23311886.2025.2474189Community perception towards employment of people with Down syndrome in Malaysia: a mixed-method studyMd Mizanur Rahman0Ting Chuong Hock1Razitasham Safii2Rosalia Saimon3Yoke Yong Chen4Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh5Abg Safuan Adenan6Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MalaysiaDepartment of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MalaysiaDepartment of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MalaysiaDepartment of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MalaysiaDepartment of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MalaysiaDepartment of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, MalaysiaDepartment of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MalaysiaThis study examines the employability of people with Down syndrome (PDS) by assessing knowledge, attitudes, productivity and challenges from a community perspective. A concurrent parallel mixed methods design combined quantitative data from 104 surveys and qualitative data from 32 unstructured interviews, providing a multifaceted understanding of the issue. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Spearman rank correlation, while qualitative data were examined with Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Results showed moderate knowledge of PDS employability rights and legal information but significant gaps in procedural knowledge. Attitudes were generally positive, supporting inclusive employment policies. Productivity perceptions were moderately positive, with societal ignorance and cost concerns noted as challenges. Qualitative findings supported these results and emphasised the need for better PDS training, support and the identification of communication barriers and physical and cognitive limitations. This study highlights the need to improve community knowledge, foster positive attitudes and address challenges to enhance PDS employability. Recommendations include targeted education programmes, supportive work environments, robust policy enforcement and specialised training programmes for PDS and potential employers to bridge communication barriers and address physical and cognitive limitations.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2025.2474189Attitudeschallengescommunity perceptiondown syndromeemployabilityknowledge |
| spellingShingle | Md Mizanur Rahman Ting Chuong Hock Razitasham Safii Rosalia Saimon Yoke Yong Chen Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh Abg Safuan Adenan Community perception towards employment of people with Down syndrome in Malaysia: a mixed-method study Cogent Social Sciences Attitudes challenges community perception down syndrome employability knowledge |
| title | Community perception towards employment of people with Down syndrome in Malaysia: a mixed-method study |
| title_full | Community perception towards employment of people with Down syndrome in Malaysia: a mixed-method study |
| title_fullStr | Community perception towards employment of people with Down syndrome in Malaysia: a mixed-method study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Community perception towards employment of people with Down syndrome in Malaysia: a mixed-method study |
| title_short | Community perception towards employment of people with Down syndrome in Malaysia: a mixed-method study |
| title_sort | community perception towards employment of people with down syndrome in malaysia a mixed method study |
| topic | Attitudes challenges community perception down syndrome employability knowledge |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2025.2474189 |
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