Exploring the lived experiences of ethnic minority youth with disabilities: a systematic review and meta synthesis of qualitative data

Abstract

Purpose Racial and ethnic minority youth with disabilities often encounter more challenges and poorer health, social and vocational outcomes compared to white youth and yet, relatively little is known about their lived experiences. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of ethnic minority youth and young adults with disabilities. Methods We conducted a systematic review of qualitative data with eight international databases assessed by four reviewers. Results Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria, which involved 373 youth and young adults, across four countries over a 20-year period. We identified the following themes: (1) accessing and navigating services (i.e., environmental barriers; lack of supports, resources and information); (2) perceptions of disability (i.e., cultural adjustment and tensions between cultures; differing priorities for independence); (3) systemic factors (i.e., language and communication; stigma, discrimination and racism); (4) coping (i.e., reframing; and family involvement and support); and (5) intersectionality (i.e., disability, race and ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic status). Conclusions Our findings highlight how racial and ethnic minority youth with disabilities encounter many challenges in dealing with their condition and the urgent need for further research to develop a deeper understanding of their needs so that clinicians and service providers can enhance supports. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Racial and ethnic minority youth with disabilities encounter different challenges than other youth, such as cultural adjustment, racism and culturally inappropriate services. Clinicians and service providers should be cognizant that ethnic minority youth may need different supports and resources as they grapple with tensions between cultures. Clinicians, educators and service providers should consider the complexity of how disability interacts with many other factors, such as race, ethnicity, gender and socio-economic status.