Can interpersonal relationships help disabled people have successful careers?

With this year's Disability History Month throwing the spotlight on disabled people in the workplace, we spoke to the author of a study which aims to show  that 'social capital' – the network of relationships or connections that people form – can positively influence disabled people's careers.

Researcher Sandra Buchan, a PhD doctoral student at the University of Sheffield, who shared her research at the BPS's Division of Occupational Psychology 2024 annual conference, said "previous studies had shown that other population groups have benefited from strong social capital.

"This is because the connections they have formed give access to information, resources and career sponsorship, for example, insider details about job openings or career pathways not publicly advertised, and guidance on how to perform well at interview.

"Whichever way you measure it, whether in terms of salary, promotions or career satisfaction, career success has been shown to be influenced by the relationships a person forms.

"If my hypothesis is correct and career progression for disabled people too depends on how well connected they are, I am hoping to influence the NHS to focus more on how disabled people can have access to these social networks," added Ms Buchan, who herself has a disability.

"It is well documented that disabled people have reduced career outcomes compared to their non-disabled colleagues. But there's also evidence to suggest that non-disabled people find it difficult to communicate and form relationships with disabled people. 

"This limits disabled people's access to social capital, so it's an area we really need to focus on to help ensure equal opportunities for disabled people in the workplace."

Ms Buchan's research is set in the NHS. Official figures show that 4.9 per cent of its 1.4 million employees declared a disability in 2023. However, this figure rises to just over 23 per cent (2022) when staff are asked anonymously through the NHS Staff Survey whether they have a disability, Ms Buchan said.

Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected as part of the research. Ms Buchan is currently conducting interviews following an 'overwhelming' response to her call for participants.

She is supported in her research within Sheffield University's Institute of Work Psychology at the School of Management by supervisors Professor Jeremy Dawson and Dr Sarah Brooks.

If you want to know more about this study, please contact Sandra at [email protected]