engleski

Women with disabilities and loneliness

This article attempts to examine to what extent social exclusion affects the level of happiness and personal well-being among women with disabilities. Empirical research was conducted among persons with physical disabilities (N=397) ; 195 were female. Social interaction was measured by different scales and the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) was used to assess subjective well-being. The level of happiness was measured by the Fordyce scale of happiness. Results show a significant correlation between all analysed forms of social interaction with levels of personal well-being and happiness. Women who are more likely to socialise, have more accessible support and are more satisfied in relations with their immediate and wider environments, show significantly higher levels of happiness in life, and their personal well-being index is significantly higher. However, unlike the aforementioned, surprisingly the level of movement impairment and degree of disability, as such, were not significantly correlated with the level of life satisfaction in women with disabilities. This suggests that even with severe disabilities women can adapt to their body conditions, but it is much more difficult for them to accept social isolation and loneliness. These findings actually reflect the current state of our society and how society frequently accepts and treats women with disabilities.

Women with disabilities, loneliness

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