Abstract:
Having a disability can significantly change a person'e life in many aspects. Research has shown that people with disabilities collectively have diminished access and fewer opportunities to pursue education, find gainful employment, and engage in intimate relationshsips. Self-acceptance of disability is, therefore, critical to help build resilience, confidence, and psychological well-being in this population. The purpose of the study was to compare the self-acceptance of disability in international settings, specifically in the context of religions. The sample of the study included 98 Thai Buddhists and 95 American Christians with neuromuscular disorders. Constructs used for the study included demographic characteristics, Hope Scale (Snyder et al., 1991), Future Time Orientation Scale (Gjesme, 1979), Spiritual Well-Being Scale (Paloutzian & Ellison, 1991), and Acceptance of Disability Scale-Revised (Groomes & Linkowski, 2007).The self-acceptance of disability multiple regression model to predict Thai Buddhists show their spiritual well-being, age, number of years diagnosis, and sex are significant contributing variables. Significant predictors in the regression model to explain the variance of of self-acceptance of disability among American Christians include hope, spiritual well-being, and number of years since diagnosis. Discussion, limitations of the study, and implications are also discussed.
Author(s): Roy K Chen, Alicia D. Brown & Wilaiporn Kotbungkair
Journal: Journal of Rehabilitation
Date: 2015
Volume: 81
Issue: 1
Pages: 52-62
DOI:
Databased: Yes
Disabilities: Medical/Health Disabilities, Physical Disabilities
Categories: Individuals with disabilities