A study of group-self identification among the disabled in Nigeria: a case for support groups.

Abstract

A study was conducted to examine the nature of the relationship between the self and attitude toward disability groups and normal subjects. The collection of data was from persons of various disability groups including emotionally disturbed, multiply-handicapped, stroke patients, paraplegics, amputees and old polio patients and normal individuals. Attitude was measured by the semantic differential scale and the social distance scale. The results showed that each disabled group with the exception of the emotionally disturbed rated its own group more favourably than any other group. Attitudes of the various disability groups were compared to those of the normal subjects making use of a series of analyses of variance. On both measuring scales there were significant differences (P less than or equal to 0.05) for all the disability groups except the emotionally disturbed group. Correlation between self-evaluation of persons with similar disability were statistically significant. Again the exception was the emotionally disturbed. Support groups are being advocated. They may be an effective strategy in dealing with stigma, prejudice, social rejection and social network problems among subjects with visible disability.