Predictors of the Self-Reported Likelihood of Seeking Social Worker Help among People with Physical Disabilities

ABSTRACT

The current study assesses the association between demographic factors, attitudes toward social workers, the stigma attached to seeking social worker help, perceived social support, and psychological distress—and the self-reported likelihood of seeking social worker help, among people with physical disabilities in Israel. Data collection utilized structured questionnaires, administered to a sample of 435 people with physical disabilities. The findings suggest that women, older respondents, people with more positive attitudes toward social workers, with higher levels of psychological distress and of social support, and with a lower level of stigma, reported a greater likelihood of seeking social workers help. The study’s conclusion is that there are certain avoidance factors among people with physical disabilities that might discourage them from seeking social workers’ help. Therefore, it is important that social workers identify these factors and develop interventions aimed at encouraging people with physical disabilities to seek social workers help in case of need, and also develop practices adjusted to the unique needs of people with physical disabilities.

KEYWORDS:

• People with physical disabilities
• attitudes toward social workers
• stigma
• perceived social support
• psychological distress
• seeking SW help