CHAPTER 19: Women’s Responses to Disability

What Is a Disability? Disability is socially determined. Broad nondiscrete categories of disabilities: – Physical disabilities – Sensory disabilities – Systemic disabilities – Cognitive disabilities – Psychiatric disabilities – Learning disabilities – Functional disabilities

What Is a Disability? For health psychology, it is useful to consider: – The effects of the condition on physical health – The nature of the impairment in the context of the person’s environment – The cultural meanings attached to the condition – The degree of stigma associated with the condition

Disability in Context Disability and socioeconomic status are intertwined. Disability increases with age. Differences exist between men and women with disabilities.

Dimensions of Disability Two disabilities may appear functionally similar but are different in important ways. Some important factors to consider: – Onset speed – Course – Degree of impairment – Degree of uncertainty – Degree of stigma

Language of Disability Language to describe disability tends to connote a negative valence. People continue to be described by their conditions. – Use people-first language. Adjustment vs. response to disability

Conceptualizing Disability Moral Model Medical Model Social Model Role of Health Psychologists

Responses to Disability Potential problematic responses that may require professional intervention – Depression – Anxiety – Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Factors of Clinical Importance Physical Concomitants of Disability Violence Substance Abuse Medical Trauma Stigma and Micro-Aggressions

Conclusion and Recommendations For clinicians – Gain specialized knowledge. – Understand important goals. – Focus on model for client. For researchers – Focus on a more specific definition of disability. – Assess variables besides disability. – Responses to disability should not be pathologized.