Acquired physical disability: Personal meanings in a rural South African setting

Abstract

This study explored personal meanings attached to acquired physical disabilities in a rural South African community. Informants were seven adults with disability (females = 4; age range = 18 to 55 years). They responded to semi-structured face-to-face interviews on the meanings they attached to their physical disabilities acquired during adulthood. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis: new life style, activity limitations, participation restrictions, and cultural marginalisation. The meanings and accompanying lifestyle changes have implications for personal functioning and social well-being.