Physical disability in old age: a structural study of social representations

Abstract

Objective: To know the structure of the social representations of older people regarding disability in old age. Methods: This is a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study based on the theory of social representations. Participants was twenty-two elderly people aged 60 or older, of both sexes, who have some physical disability acquired in adulthood, registered in a center specializing in physical rehabilitation and hearing in Vitória da Conquista/BA. The instruments were a socio-biodemographic questionnaire and the free association of words test. Results: 110 free evocations, processed by EVOC software generating a four houses frame. The structure of social representation revealed that the acquisition of physical disability can produce dependence and sadness, but it must be faced and overcome. Conclusion: Knowing these representations is important to develop strategies to improve the quality of life and decrease the stigma of this population. resumen Objetivo: Conocer la estructura de las representaciones sociales de personas ancianas con respecto a la deficiencia física en la vejez. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo, exploratorio, descriptivo, fundamentado en la teoría de las representaciones sociales.Participaron 22 personas ancianas a partir de los 60 años, de ambos sexos, con deficiencia física adquirida en la fase adulta, registrados en un centro especializado en rehabilitación física y auditiva en Vitória da Conquista (BA). Los instrumentos aplicados fueron un cuestionario sociobiodemográfico y el test de asociación libre de palabras. Resultados: Resultaron 110 evocaciones libres, procesadas por el software EVOC generando un cuadro de cuatro casas. La estructura de la representación social reveló que la adquisición de la deficiencia física puede producir dependencia y tristeza, pero debe ser enfrentada y superada. Conclusión:Conocer esas representaciones es importante para el desarrollo de estrategias que visen mejorar la calidad de vida y disminuir el estigma de esa población.

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