Exploring factors shaping employment outcomes of people with disabilities through the PEOP model : a scoping review

Abstract

Introduction: Employment is a critical dimension of social participation for individuals with disabilities, yet persistent barriers restrict equitable workforce engagement. Objective: This scoping review applied the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model to systematically examine factors influencing employment among people with disabilities. Methods: Guided by established scoping review methodological frameworks and reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR, a comprehensive search was conducted across four major databases (Embase, PubMed, CNKI, and PubScholar) to identify relevant studies published between January 2015 and January 2025. After screening 6,240 records, 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted and synthesized using a theory-informed thematic analysis based on the PEOP model. Results: The included studies were categorized into the Person (n = 13), Environment (n = 11), and Occupation (n = 11) domains. Person-level factors emphasized motivation, self-efficacy, and demographic characteristics such as disability type, age, and gender. Environmental factors included workplace accommodations, social support, and transportation accessibility. Occupational factors focused on vocational rehabilitation programs and job modifications. Conclusion: Findings highlight the complex and interrelated influences of personal, environmental, and occupational factors on employment for people with disabilities. Future research should expand to underrepresented regions and populations and develop culturally appropriate, evidence-based interventions to promote inclusive employment.