Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 19(5), July 2009, pp.554-571.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
Caring for children with disabilities takes an excessive amount of time and energy and places the carers under extreme stress, and often results in the family’s financial resources, personal well-being, self identity, and social networks being negatively affected, which in many cases, places the child at risk for maltreatment. This study explored the issues a caregiver faces when caring for his or her child, specifically the contextual factors that might affect a caregiver’s adaptation process that could possibly lead to maltreatment. In this contextual analysis, seven caregivers of children with moderate-to-severe disabilities completed a questionnaire, were interviewed individually, and assisted the researcher in constructing an ‘ecomap’ of their current living environment. Discussing subjects such as support from family and friends, stress, and spirituality, content from the interviews was analysed and several themes developed from the data, notably relationships between the carers and others within the family and greater community, leading to social isolation. Implications for clinical practice and future research ideas are discussed.
Caring for children with disabilities takes an excessive amount of time and energy and places the carers under extreme stress, and often results in the family’s financial resources, personal well-being, self identity, and social networks being negatively affected, which in many cases, places the child at risk for maltreatment. This study explored the issues a caregiver faces when caring for his or her child, specifically the contextual factors that might affect a caregiver’s adaptation process that could possibly lead to maltreatment. In this contextual analysis, seven caregivers of children with moderate-to-severe disabilities completed a questionnaire, were interviewed individually, and assisted the researcher in constructing an ‘ecomap’ of their current living environment. Discussing subjects such as support from family and friends, stress, and spirituality, content from the interviews was analysed and several themes developed from the data, notably relationships between the carers and others within the family and greater community, leading to social isolation. Implications for clinical practice and future research ideas are discussed.
TAUB Diane E., McLORG Penelope A., BARTNICK April K.
Journal article citation:
Disability and Society, 24(2), March 2009, pp.201-215.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Through exploring the lived experiences of disabled women, this study investigates how physical and social barriers affect their social relationships. In-depth tape-recorded interviews investigating a variety of social and interpersonal issues were conducted with 24 women with physical or visual impairments who lived in a rural region of the midwestern USA. Using content analysis, the researchers examined interview data for common themes and patterns relating to social relationships. The findings indicate that physical barriers, related to the physical environment and personal physicality, along with social barriers, involving preconceptions of others about impairment and restrictions in personal networks, hamper the initiation and maintenance of social relationships. Further, the experiences of this group of disabled women corresponded most closely with the premises of a social relational understanding of disability.
Through exploring the lived experiences of disabled women, this study investigates how physical and social barriers affect their social relationships. In-depth tape-recorded interviews investigating a variety of social and interpersonal issues were conducted with 24 women with physical or visual impairments who lived in a rural region of the midwestern USA. Using content analysis, the researchers examined interview data for common themes and patterns relating to social relationships. The findings indicate that physical barriers, related to the physical environment and personal physicality, along with social barriers, involving preconceptions of others about impairment and restrictions in personal networks, hamper the initiation and maintenance of social relationships. Further, the experiences of this group of disabled women corresponded most closely with the premises of a social relational understanding of disability.
Subject terms:
interpersonal relationships, mobility impairment, physical disabilities, rural areas, social exclusion, stereotyped attitudes, visual impairment, women, building design, disabilities;
This is the third of a series of annual UK wide surveys produced by Leonard Cheshire Disability. The principal objective of the Review is to assess the experiences of disabled people across a number of key areas of life including: education; employment; health and social care; housing; transport and citizenship. It was compiled using responses to a detailed questionnaire that was completed by 1253 people drawn from across the UK. Respondents experienced a range of different impairments, were aged over 18 and included a mix of men and women, single and married, parents and non-parents. They were drawn from nine ethnic groups and from all regions of the UK.
This is the third of a series of annual UK wide surveys produced by Leonard Cheshire Disability. The principal objective of the Review is to assess the experiences of disabled people across a number of key areas of life including: education; employment; health and social care; housing; transport and citizenship. It was compiled using responses to a detailed questionnaire that was completed by 1253 people drawn from across the UK. Respondents experienced a range of different impairments, were aged over 18 and included a mix of men and women, single and married, parents and non-parents. They were drawn from nine ethnic groups and from all regions of the UK.
Subject terms:
housing, learning disabilities, medication, mobility impairment, personal finance, physical disabilities, policy, poverty, quality of life, sensory impairments, social exclusion, statistical methods, transport, access to services, citizenship, employment;