"We need a world we can operate in": Exploring the relationship between societal stigma and depression among wheelchair users.
Disabil Health J
; 17(3): 101624, 2024 Jul.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38631970
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Stigma looms over the disability community. OBJECTIVE ORHYPOTHESIS:
The aim of this paper is to gain a deeper understanding of how societal stigma impacts depression among wheelchair users.METHODS:
Mixed research methods were used on a sample of sixty full-time wheelchair users (M age = 43.78, SD = 15.50) whose disability was either acquired (n = 32) or congenital (n = 28). Data was collected via an anonymous Qualtrics survey. Qualitative and quantitative content analyses were performed.RESULTS:
Three major themes were identified from the qualitative analysis, including pity, discomfort, and invisibility which demonstrated that our participants felt frequently stigmatized in public. Several participants noted how assumptions were made about their competence, intellect, ability, and the entire disability experience based on the physical representation of their wheelchair. The quantitative results demonstrated a positive correlation between The Major Depression Index and the Able Privilege Scale-Revised, a scale constructed to examine personal power and privilege in relation to society depending on disability type.CONCLUSIONS:
Wheelchair users feel stigmatized by members of society, which is associated with increased levels of depression and perceived pity, discomfort, and invisibility.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Silla de Ruedas
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Personas con Discapacidad
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Depresión
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Estigma Social
Límite:
Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Disabil Health J
Asunto de la revista:
REABILITACAO
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SAUDE PUBLICA
/
SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
Pais de publicación:
EEUU
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ESTADOS UNIDOS
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ESTADOS UNIDOS DA AMERICA
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EUA
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UNITED STATES
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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US
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USA