Disability Stigma Research Articles

Stroke survivors with limited walking ability have unique barriers and facilitators to physical activity

Purpose Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Canada. Approximately 73% of stroke survivors experience limited walking ability, requiring a gait aid or assistance. Physical activity is important for secondary stroke prevention, in addition to its benefits for physical and mental health. Little is known about the barriers and facilitators to physical activity in stroke survivors with limited walking ability. Methods This qualitative study used inductive thematic analysis of structured interviews to explore the barriers and facilitators to physical activity in stroke survivors with limited walking ability. Results Perceived barriers to physical activity included scarcity of services, societal views, changes in ability, and inclement weather. Perceived facilitators included the desired benefits of physical activity, multidisciplinary rehabilitation services, durable medical equipment, encouragement, positive mindset, and self-efficacy. Conclusions Improving access to rehabilitation services in the chronic phase of stroke and increasing the availability of structured exercise programmes are important strategies to address barriers to physical activity in this population. Supporting self-efficacy, addressing disability stigma, and policy changes are also needed to facilitate participation.

The Association Between Latino Cultural Concepts and Fatherhood Identity on Stigma for Fathers With a Child With a Disability

ABSTRACTThis study focuses on Latino fathers and investigates the role that cultural concepts and fatherhood identity play in the stigma associated with having a child with a disability. Disability stigma is a widely held concept that acknowledges the role of culture; however, there is a lack of information on Latino fathers. Using a panel survey provider a US cross‐sectional survey was completed by 92 Latino fathers who had a child with a disability. Multiple regression was used to investigate the relationship of cultural Latino constructs (personalismo, machismo, caballerismo and respeto) and fatherhood identity on the stigma experiences of Latino fathers who have a child with a disability while controlling for the child's age and acculturation (R2 = 0.43, p < 0.001). Latino fathers with higher levels of personalismo (p = 0.05), and fatherhood identity (p < 0.001) had lower levels of stigma. Latino fathers with high levels of machismo had high levels of stigma (p < 0.001). There was no significant relationship between caballerismo and respeto towards stigma. Specific recommendations for Latino fathers include (1) the development of personalismo by focusing on the child–parent relationship; (2) a re‐frame of machismo to focus instead on caballerismo characteristics to de‐emphasize harmful effects on stigma experiences; and (3) heightening the identity as a father as a protective mechanism to strengthen resilience from stigma.

Understanding the intersectional stigma of ageing, disability, and place: a systematic literature mapping review

Stigma is a key concept for social scientists interested in how certain groups in society are judged and treated negatively. Within housing studies this scholarship reflects longstanding interests within the discipline regarding the spatial impacts of social and urban policies on both people, and the places in which they live. We augment these debates by advocating for a more intersectional understanding of how stigma is shaped by identity. It presents findings from a systematic literature mapping review of research that has a combined focus on ageing, disability, place, and stigma across OECD countries. Given global trends around ageing populations and the impacts for health, this is an important, but often neglected aspect to stigma research. Our review highlights the advantages of combining a spatial approach to stigma with intersectional insights foregrounded in age and disability. This includes the further development of stigma as a concept from the perspective of under-represented groups: older and disabled people.

Validity and Reliability of the Physical Disability Stigma Questionnaire

Validity and Reliability of the Physical Disability Stigma Questionnaire

Beyond Disability Stigma: Examining Tolerance and Intolerance toward Disability Issues

Beyond Disability Stigma: Examining Tolerance and Intolerance toward Disability Issues

How Work Becomes Invisible: The Erosion of the Wage Floor for Workers with Disabilities

How does work come to be constructed as a service to the worker? In the United States, the payment of subminimum wages to disabled workers has been legal since 1938 and was entrenched by 1986 legislation eliminating the previously mandated floor of 50 percent of the minimum wage. This article draws on primary historical materials to explain the passage of these amendments, which I analyze as a case of delaborization, a process through which work is mystified as such and reclassified as something else (e.g., service). I find that the managers of segregated workshops for disabled manual laborers rose to control disability employment policy in the aftermath of deinstitutionalization. Professionals mobilized disability stigma to frame the subminimum wage as a social welfare issue subject to their expertise and to lobby successfully for its entrenchment. Weaknesses in the disability–labor coalition enabled this seizure of jurisdiction. This research illuminates professional expertise, the withdrawal of labor unions, and identity-based stigma as major mechanisms driving delaborization, an important contemporary influence on the organization of work. The case of the subminimum wage thus develops sociological literatures on labor, disability, and politics.

Potential of SI WUWU ARENG GETHAK (Wuluhan shadow puppet art and GETHAK Mask Dance) as a preventive media to stop the stigma of adolescent Disabilities and Leprosy based on Pandalungan Local Wisdom

Disability is defined as the result of the interaction of individual limitations with their environment, not only physically and mentally but impacting activity limitations and barriers to participation. The purpose of writing is to find out the potential of the Si Wuwu Areng Gethak program as a preventive medium to stop the stigma of youth with disabilities and leprosy based on Pandalungan local wisdom. The writing method uses a literature review through electronic database literature and then synthesis is carried out according to the purpose of writing. adolescents with disabilities are more prone to experiencing cases of bullying by their peers, while those with leprosy have difficulties accessing health services because of shame and social isolation. The idea of the Si Wuwu Areng Gethak program is the utilization of Pandalungan Madura art as a preventive medium to stop the stigma of persons with disabilities, youth, and leprosy. The results of the SWOT analysis show that the percentage of driving force of 74.13% is sub-conducive to implementation. It is hoped that the idea of this program can be implemented through collaboration between academics and cross-sectoral synergy in education and health promotion

Disability stigma and the pursuit of inclusion among children with physical disabilities in northwest Ethiopia

Purpose Globally, many children with physical disabilities (CwPDs) are excluded from their education and social life, mainly due to stigma and its effects. However, information on disability stigma is scarce in low-and middle-income countries like Ethiopia. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to explore the lived experience of stigma from the perspective of CwPDs and their caregivers in northwest Ethiopia. Methods The study incorporated a constructivist grounded theory approach. Data were gathered through observations, in-depth interviews, and key informant interviews. Inductive and iterative grounded theory techniques were used to code and categorize data through constant comparison. Findings The study showed that CwPDs are bullied and talked about, subject to pity, socially excluded, and held in contempt at home, in their neighborhood, and at school. They live in fear and uncertainty and struggle with stigma. These factors affect their emotions, social relationships, and educational activities. Conclusions This study makes theoretical and practical contributions to understanding and addressing disability stigma and can help to introduce inclusive education policy, school practice, and disability advocacy. The study results highlight the need for disability awareness-raising programs, interventions for empowerment, and informing disability policy and practice.

Impacts of vocational training for persons with disabilities: Experimental evidence from Cambodia

This paper examines the impacts of vocational training for persons with disabilities (PWDs). In heavily mined areas of rural Cambodia, adults with limb amputation or paralysis were randomly assigned to either a treatment group (invited to participate in an intensive training program in mechanics and services) or a control group (not invited to participate). Over 30% of PWDs in the treatment group participated in the program and none in the control group did so. Although being assigned to the treatment group greatly increased PWDs’ employment and earnings, experiences of discrimination reported by them and their disability stigma (self-stigmatization) also increased. The paper shows suggestive evidence for skill acquisition and networking for employment and negative self-stereotyping leading to stigma.

The effect of an e-intervention on intellectual disability stigma among Nigerian and Kenyan internet users: a comparative randomised controlled trial.

The negative consequences of stigma for the wellbeing of people with disabilities have raised public and global health concerns. This study assessed the impact of an e-intervention to reduce intellectual disability (ID) stigma among Nigerian and Kenyan internet-users. Participants aged 18+ and citizens of Nigeria and Kenya were recruited through online advertising. Qualtrics, a web survey platform, randomly assigned (1:1) participants to watch either a short experimental or control film, while masked to their assignment. The experimental film featured education about ID and indirect contact. The control film was on an unrelated topic. Their attitudes were measured on three dimensions (affect, cognitions and behaviour) at three time points (baseline, post intervention and one-month follow-up). Between October 2016 and April 2017, 933 participants were randomised, 469 to the experimental condition and 464 to the control condition. Of these, 827 (89%) provided pre-and post-intervention data but only 287 (31%) were retained at follow-up. An intent-to-treat analysis revealed that participants in the experimental but not the control condition showed a positive shift in their attitudes towards people with ID over time. Their willingness to interact with people with ID increased post-intervention. A brief intervention that integrates education and indirect contact can make an effective contribution to efforts to reduce stigma faced by people with ID in Africa. Trial registered with the ISRCTN trial registry (number ISRCTN92574712).

Impact of amputation of the upper limb and prostheses on perceptions of competence, warmth, and functional abilities.

This study investigated attitudes that young adults have toward individuals with amputation of the upper limb (AUL). Previous studies have found that people tend to feel sympathy toward these individuals, but they are also perceived as less competent in various situations. However, it is unclear if these perceptions are influenced by factors such as the cause of amputation, the gender of the amputee, whether they use a prosthesis or not, or the type of prosthesis. The survey included 469 participants from a university in the Southeastern United States. Participants rated pictures of individuals with or without amputation, and with and without prostheses after reading a brief background scenario. Images were rated using a semantic differential for competence and warmth, and a scale of functional ability. Factorial analysis of variances produced significant main effects indicating individuals with AULs who used prostheses were rated with higher competence and ability than individuals with AULs who did not use prostheses. Females were rated with lower competence and ability, and higher warmth regardless of AULs status. Higher ability ratings were obtained for individuals with advanced technology prostheses as compared to body-powered prostheses. Our research shows that people generally hold positive attitudes toward individuals with AUL when they use prostheses. However, traditional stereotypes persist for those who do not. Negative biases toward women should be accounted for in disability stigma studies. The cause of amputation did not influence ratings. Prostheses that appear to be advanced technology positively influenced ratings of functional ability when compared to traditional body-powered types. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The stigma of intellectual disability in Spain: a nationally representative survey.

Stigma towards people with intellectual disability affects various aspects of their lives, including access to employment, housing, health and social care services. Furthermore, this stigma reduces their social opportunities and is even reflected in laws that diminish their autonomy. Due to the practical significance of this issue, the aim of this research is to explore for the first time the social stigma associated with intellectual disability in a representative sample of the Spanish population. A cross-sectional quantitative descriptive study was conducted, involving a representative sample of the population (N=2746). The study includes descriptive analyses and hierarchical regressions to examine various dimensions of stigma, such as attitudes, attributions, and intentions of social distance. Medium levels of stigma are found regarding attitudes and attributions towards people with intellectual disability, while levels are medium-low concerning the intention of social distance. The most reliable indicators of stigma across its various dimensions encompass attitudes, attributions, and the intention of social distance. Factors that contribute to lower stigma include knowing someone with an intellectual disability, being willing to discuss intellectual disability with an acquaintance who has it and having a progressive political ideology. People with intellectual disability show more negative attributions towards themselves. Living with a person with an intellectual disability is another predictor of more stigmatising attitudes, but less intention of social distance. Results are mixed regarding age, gender, and educational level. Combating the stigmatisation of people with intellectual disabilities must include comprehensive actions to address attitudes, attributions and behavioural intentions. Public policies, such as national campaigns and programmes, should include contact with and open conversations about intellectual disability, and sensitivity to sociodemographic variables.

Confronting Barriers to Equitable Care: A Qualitative Analysis of Factors That Inform People with Mobility Disabilities’ Decisions to Self‐Advocate in the Context of Healthcare

Background. One in 5 people in the United States live with disability; however, the public health needs of this community have been largely overlooked. Although U.S. law mandates the availability of accessible medical exam equipment, people with mobility disabilities (PWMD) frequently encounter barriers that require self‐advocacy to receive basic primary care. Objective. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the impact of healthcare access barriers—specifically, the experiences of the need to self‐advocate and factors that inform decisions to make accommodation requests—for PWMD. Methods. Qualitative semistructured interviews were performed across two phases of data collection with each of the 6 participants. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to highlight the essence of participants’ experiences in making decisions to request healthcare accommodation. Results. Participants included a purposive sample of self‐advocates with physical disabilities (3 men and 3 women). While individual approaches to self‐advocacy varied, participants identified a process of “recognizing the normalization of disability discrimination and disability stigma” which necessitates the development of “agency in self‐advocacy.” This process has a lasting impact on people that includes a shared embodied experience of disability, as well as a sense of empowerment based on their collective and individual identities. Conclusions. Findings have implications for supporting individual disability consumer advocacy efforts as well as the need to address the normalization of disability discrimination within healthcare systems levels.

Exploring the Health Behaviors of Young Adults Who Are Blind in South Korea

Introduction: Compared to sighted people, not only do people who are blind have multiple comorbidities and exhibit early mortality, but they also display high-risk health behaviors. To prevent problematic health behaviors affecting health-related quality of life and well-being, understanding the shared patterns of health behaviors among individuals with visual impairments, including blindness, is essential. Methods: This qualitative study explored the hidden constructs and patterns of health behaviors among employed young adults who are blind using a multiple case study analysis. Eight participants with self-reported total blindness were recruited via convenience sampling and recruitment postings. Results: The mean age was 27.43 ± 6.32 years with a range of 20–39 years. Seven males and one female completed the one-on-one telephone interviews. The study discovered eight patterns of health behaviors of young adults who are blind: (a) leading a sedentary lifestyle with physical inactivity, (b) eating irregularly and not cooking, (c) avoiding uncertainty and illness, (d) facing disability stigma in health care services, (e) seeking online information related to medical care, (f) sharing health-related information within the blind community, (g) receiving unreadable formats of health-related information, and (h) aiming for independence and autonomy in self-care. The following categorized health behavior constructs were extracted: perceived health problems, experiential attitude toward health care systems, health beliefs, perceived facilitators, and barriers. Discussion: The findings indicate that young adults who are blind prefer independent health-related activities. The identified problematic health behaviors were correlated to inaccessible healthcare resources. Implications for Practitioners: More accessible health resources enhancing the independence of young adults who are blind are needed to promote their health behaviors. For instance, more accessible fitness facilities and personalized exercise programs in workplaces and communities can motivate the physical activity of young adults who are blind.

From Classroom to Boardroom: Self-Advocacy and Navigating the Transition for Students with Disabilities.

This article evaluates the effectiveness of Career Services in supporting college students with disabilities to self-advocate for their accommodation rights during the job search. A qualitative case study was conducted at one university to examine how their Career Services unit educates, trains, and supports students with disabilities in their professional development. Two rounds of interviews were conducted: one with university staff responsible for such services to assess policies and practices in providing support, and one with students and alumni with disabilities to gather feedback on their experiences with career planning and employment. Three key themes emerged from the data: (1) Disability stigma negatively impacts a willingness to self-advocate among participants (this is especially true among those belonging to multiple marginalized groups); (2) the lack of transition support by the university further entrenches this stigma; and (3) participants report subsequent challenges in the crossover to employment. These identified barriers discouraged participants from planning for and seeking workplace accommodations and highlighted the need for universities to provide more comprehensive support for their professional development.

Disability and the State Production of Precarity

Materialist theories of disability link disability and labor, hypothesizing that under neoliberalism, disability stigma contributes to labor market precarity. These claims have not been evaluated empirically and the mediating role of the state remains underspecified. Ethnographic fieldwork in a job training program for people with psychiatric disabilities reveals two contradictions in the welfare state treatment of disability. First, disability benefits are set at low levels, yet means-testing limits earnings, channeling people with disabilities into low-wage jobs. Second, contradictory imperatives attached to state funding incentivize placement in temporary jobs. These welfare state contradictions produce disabled workers as a precarious labor force.

Antecedents and consequences of the disability stigma for frontline employees: A qualitative study

ABSTRACT The employment of people with disabilities (PWDs) is an important growing topic in contemporary society. Despite legal protections and increasing awareness of the importance of inclusion and diversity, PWDs still face significant barriers to employment worldwide, particularly in service industries. As hiring PWDs becomes more prevalent, scholars have only recently begun to study consumers’ perceptions of frontline employees (FLEs) with disabilities, especially intellectual disabilities, and their potential to stigmatize FLEs with disabilities. As such, we explore consumers’ perceptions of FLEs with disabilities to understand the attitudes, biases, and behaviors that may influence their interactions with such employees. Using a thematic coding analysis, we develop a framework for understanding the antecedents and consequences of disability stigma for FLEs. Drawing on this framework, we present the results of a qualitative study examining consumer perceptions of FLEs with disabilities working in restaurants, highlighting the key themes that emerged from our analysis. Specifically, we uncover internal influences and customer affect toward PWDs as antecedents to consumers’ perceptions of FLEs with disabilities while consumer behavior and firm actions as consequences. Nevertheless, these matters remain prominent issues for businesses working to create more inclusive and welcoming environments for all customers and employees, regardless of disability status.

Manifestations of Public and Self-Stigma of Physical Disability: A Scoping Review in Rehabilitation and Disability Research

As physical disability exists globally and stigma is prevalent, the need for research on the stigma of physical disability is identified in the fields of rehabilitation and disability studies. This study conducted a scoping review for analyzing the manifestations of stigma on people with physical disabilities using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Search terms were used with three electronic databases (Pub-Med, ERIC, and Psyc-INFO) for peer-reviewed rehabilitation and disability journals published from 2000 to 2020 time frame. A total of 683 records were identified, of which 146 were duplication and 413 were excluded by title and abstract, and 124 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. The final number included was 3 quantitative studies and 8 qualitative synthesis studies for a total of 11 studies. This study revealed that the stigma related to people with physical disabilities is a global issue, and stigma appeared in various settings of society (e.g., education, workplace, rehabilitation and sexual health care, and the benefit system). Public stigma usually appeared related to physical image and the presence of a wheelchair, and most of the studies related to self-stigma were in the stage of recognizing the public stigma, and there were also responses to the public stigma to aim for opportunities for coping and change. Awareness of stigma led to negative psychosocial well-being such as depression, self-efficacy, and quality of life. Future researchers should consider cultural differences and specific types of physical disabilities.

The pursuit of intimacy: intimate relationship development for women with physical disabilities.

Understanding the barriers and facilitators to intimate relationship development among women with physical disabilities is crucial for promoting positive rehabilitation outcomes. This study investigates these factors using a Consensual Qualitative Research approach. The research team utilized Consensual Qualitative Research. Consensual Qualitative Research is widely used in various social services to address limitations inherent limitations of other qualitative methods. Women with various physical disabilities (n=6) were identified and interviewed using a utilized a semi-structured interview. Their attitudes towards intimacy, outcome expectancy, and self-concept of women with physical disabilities were examined. The impact of physical disabilities, including disability stigma, on these factors was also assessed. Data was coded utilizing multiple researcher consensus as well as an auditor to consensually agree upon domains and core ideas while taking into account validity and trustworthiness, as per the methodology chosen. The study discovered general themes (100% representation) concerning core values and barriers to intimacy, societal barriers to intimate relationships, and hope for future relationships. Typical themes (50-83% representation) included non-romantic intimacy, physical barriers to intimacy, perceived limitations, and negative outcome expectancies. Across the board, the influence of disability limitations, identity, and societal attitudes became evident. The role of rehabilitation professionals in advocating for social skills development and self-confidence enhancement emerged as crucial. The study illuminated barriers to intimacy among women with physical disabilities, such as societal stigma and self-concept associated with disability. The critical role of rehabilitation professionals in normalizing intimacy discussions and equipping individuals with necessary social skills and self-confidence was underscored. This focus could yield enhanced intimate relationship outcomes and improve the quality of life for women with physical disabilities.

Teachers’ Efforts and Barriers to Implementing Empirically-Based Practices in Addressing Disability Stigma

Stigmatization of students with disabilities leads to adverse long-term effects and teachers experience challenges implementing empirically-based practices to address this stigma. This study explored teachers’ efforts to address stigma in the classroom and barriers to implementing such efforts. The Disability Stigma Perspectives and Practice (DSPP) survey was completed electronically by 330 teachers from a school district. Descriptive analysis revealed that 90 percent of teachers reported attempts to address stigma, with social contact based practices being most frequently endorsed. Additionally, descriptive analysis indicated that the most commonly reported barriers to implementing empirically-based practices to address stigma included constraints of time, materials, class size, and feeling overwhelmed. The implications of these findings for school psychologists, administrators, and educational institutions in providing the appropriate support for teachers to successfully implement strategies to reduce stigma are discussed.