Acceptance of Disability and its Correlates

Abstract

In a sample of 1,266 U.S. adults with disabilities, relationships were examined between acceptance of disability and (a) demographic characteristics (age, gender, race, education, marital status, and income); (b) disability conditions (disability onset, multiple disabilities, and chronic pain); and (c) other psychosocial factors (self-esteem, emotional support, perceived discrimination, and hostility). Self-esteem and emotional support from family and friends played important roles in the participants' adjustment to disability. Furthermore, perceived social discrimination against people with disabilities had a significant impact on acceptance of disability. Disability conditions such as acquired disability, multiple disabilities, and chronic pain were also important variables related to disability acceptance.