engleski

Examining the usefulness of minority stress as a framework for understanding stress among persons with physical disabilities

Stigma and discrimination experienced by persons with physical disabilities, and consequential social exclusion, is a phenomenon extensively explored in the literature (Dovidio et al., 2011). The increased risk for negative mental health outcomes of persons living with disabilities has also been well-established (Prince et al., 2007). To date, however, the experience of stress among persons with physical disabilities, and the role of social stressors related to stigma and discrimination in particular, has been little researched. Using minority stress as a conceptual framework, the aim of this study was to explore the experience of stress among people with physical disabilities and to examine the role of stigma and discrimination in shaping this experience. Minority stress refers to socially- based stress experienced by members of a minority group that arises as a result of their stigmatised social position (Meyer, 2003). In this exploratory study, individual interviews were conducted with 6 adults with long-term physical disabilities. Transcribed interviews were analysed inductively using a constant comparative approach for coding qualitative data (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Participants described numerous experiences in which the consequences of discrimination and stigma, including lack of physical accessibility, barriers to effective social interaction and limited educational and professional opportunities, had a direct impact on their experience of stress. The consequences of these experiences included feelings of frustration, isolation, embarrassment and sadness. By mapping the reports of participants into a framework of stressors and stress experiences, preliminary analysis suggests that minority stress offers a useful framework from which to further examine and better understand the unique stressors experienced by persons with physical disabilities and the consequences of stigma and discrimination on their experience of stress.

physical disability, minority stress, social exclusion

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