Self-Reported Dyslexia Traits as Positive Predictors of Self-Reported Cognitive Failures in the Workplace

TL;DR

This study finds that self-reported dyslexia traits are linked to more frequent cognitive failures at work, even after accounting for other factors like mental wellbeing and personality.

Contribution

The study provides novel empirical evidence linking self-reported dyslexia traits to workplace cognitive failures using a pre-registered survey design.

Findings

Dyslexia traits significantly predict overall frequency of workplace cognitive failures after controlling for other variables.

Dyslexia traits weakly predict memory, attention, and action-related cognitive failures.

The findings suggest potential for improved workplace support for neurodivergent employees.

Abstract

There is little direct empirical evidence indicating how dyslexia-related cognitive difficulties express themselves in employment settings, although employers may be legally required to support neurodivergent workers through targeted accommodations. The current pre-registered online survey investigated the relationship between dyslexia traits and the self-reported frequency of workplace cognitive failures. Four hundred native English speakers were recruited via Prolific. All respondents identified as being full- or part-time UK employees in a central place of work. The respondents completed a series of published self-report questionnaires on neurodivergent symptomatology, mental wellbeing, personality characteristics, and busyness and routine at work. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to determine whether dyslexia traits were predictive of workplace cognitive failures. After controlling for age, busyness and routine, Big Five personality traits, mental wellbeing, and self-reported ADHD symptoms, dyslexia traits were a significant positive predictor of the overall frequency of workplace cognitive failures. Self-reported dyslexia traits were also significant positive but weak predictors of the individual memory, attention, and action factors. The predictive relationships found between self-reported dyslexia traits and workplace cognitive failures suggest that a similar approach with officially diagnosed individuals would prove fruitful in understanding how dyslexia affects work performance and improve targeted support for dyslexic employees.

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