Perceived benefits of social participation among older adults living with congenital disabilities or disabilities acquired prior to adulthood

Abstract

Social participation is a determinant of healthy aging. Despite the fact that the lives of people with congenital disabilities or disabilities acquired prior to adulthood become more complex as they age, understanding social participation among this distinct population remains underdeveloped. This qualitative descriptive study addresses this gap in knowledge by focusing on perceptions of social participation among this group. Five focus groups were conducted with 31 participants 50 years of age or older. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data demonstrated that perceived benefits of social participation include personal fulfillment, life meaning, a sense of well-being, and belonging. It also demonstrated that social participation is expressed through the enactment of meaningful projects that help others and through interactions with people with and without disabilities. In sum, social participation helps to meet the basic psychological needs of this population and their perception of its tangible benefits justifies its promotion.

Les personnes présentant des incapacités de naissance ou acquises avant l’âge adulte voient leur situation se complexifier avec l’âge. Même si la participation sociale est reconnue comme un facteur déterminant pour un vieillissement en santé, il reste à comprendre quels sont les bénéfices perçus de la participation sociale chez cette population distincte. La présente étude qualitative descriptive comprend cinq groupes de discussions focalisés auprès de 31 personnes de 50 ans et plus. L’analyse thématique des données qualitatives a démontré que les bénéfices perçus englobent l’accomplissement personnel, le sens à la vie, le bien-être et l’appartenance. La participation sociale s’exprime par la mise en œuvre de projets significatifs en aidant les autres et par des interactions avec des personnes ayant des incapacités et sans incapacités. La participation sociale permet de combler des besoins psychologiques fondamentaux et justifie sa promotion auprès de cette population qui rapporte des bénéfices tangibles.

Keywords:

• social participation
• disabilities
• perceived benefits
• older adults

Mots clés:

• participation sociale
• handicaps
• bénéfices perçus
• personnes aînées

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the participants of this study and Karyne-Joseane Bettencourt for their help with this research project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the RQRV.