Social Support through a Blindness Organization Predicts Life Satisfaction and Positive Disability Identity

Abstract

Background: Disability identity refers to self-concept as a person with a disability and includes such attitudes as disability affirmation and acceptance. Disability identity is emerging in psychological literature as a predictor of life adjustment among people with disabilities. Objective: This study examined predictors of disability identity and well-being (i.e., psychological distress, life satisfaction) among members of a blindness organization. The author hypothesized that perceived social support would predict more positive disability identity and higher life satisfaction as well as lower psychological distress. Methods: Participants included 142 members of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) who participated in an online survey in 2020. Results: Findings from linear regression indicated that NFB members who reported greater social support through the organization had higher life satisfaction and more positive disability identity, adjusting for impairment-related, personal, and environmental factors. Conclusion: This study highlights the association between feeling supported through the NFB and experiencing higher satisfaction with life and more positive disability identity.