Exploring the Lived Experiences of Ethnic Minority Youth With Disabilities: A Systematic Review

Abstract

<h3>Objective(s)</h3> To systematically explore the lived experiences of ethnic minority youth and young adults with disabilities. <h3>Data Sources</h3> Systematic searches of eight databases (CINHAL, PsychInfo, Embase, Medline, Healthstar, Scopus, ERIC, Sociological abstracts) were conducted. <h3>Study Selection</h3> Inclusion criteria involved: empirical research involving a qualitative design from the youth perspective, had a sample of youth or young adults (mean age 30 years or less) who identified as an ethnic minority with a disability, published in a peer-reviewed journal (without language restrictions) from 2000-2021. Four reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria and rated the study quality. <h3>Data Extraction</h3> Data were extracted by the first author using a standardized template. Four additional authors reviewed the data for accuracy. <h3>Data Synthesis</h3> Studies were analyzed following a qualitative meta-synthesis approach involving an inductive interpretive technique. 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). <h3>Conclusions</h3> 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. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> None.