BASIC PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA DURING COVID-19

Abstract

Helping persons with disabilities in times of the spread of COVID-19 is a major step to ensure their social and psychological adaptation. This call comes from the fact that from a health perspective, persons with disabilities have less immunity and are more vulnerable to diseases and infections. Many persons with disabilities also expressed their concerns regarding the safety of their disabled family members. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the impact of the new COVID-19 on the psychological and social adjustment of persons with disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The sample of the study was chosen randomly from the Asir region. The sample comprised families of persons with disabilities. Participants responded to a questionnaire, which was sent electronically via WhatsApp to the families of persons with disabilities. The questionnaire gathered demographic information about the disabled member (age and level of disability). The questionnaire went under statistical treatment to extract data for analysis. The results showed less ability for persons with disabilities to adapt psychologically and socially to the spread of COVID-19. The findings revealed the existence of fundamental differences in the levels of psychological and social adaptation among these persons with disabilities due to the level of disability of their members and due to the variable of age, and in favor of the age group of 11-15. The study recommended providing safe methods of communication with persons with disabilities to reduce the feeling of psychological isolation and loneliness as much as possible during quarantine or curfew periods. Keywords: Persons with Disabilities, COVID-19, Psychological and Social Adaptation DOI： https://doi.org/10.35741/issn.0258-2724.58.3.39