The Relationships Among the Stress Appraisal Process, Coping Disposition, and Level of Acceptance of Disability

Abstract

The transactional theory of stress and coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984b) has served as a useful lens for examining the interaction between a person and his or her varying responses to situational demands. Despite this theory's helpful framework for understanding the coping dispositions that follow primary appraisals in the general population, evidence for people with disabilities requires attention. This study examined the relationships among the stress appraisal process, coping disposition, and level of acceptance of disability. One hundred fifty-one people with disabilities were randomly selected and asked to complete four survey questionnaires. Principal components analysis on data collected from the newly developed Stress Appraisal Inventory for Life Situations instrument resulted in five components that became the basis for the stress appraisal process identified in this study. The findings of this study indicate that certain subjective meanings that people with disabilities attribute to stressful situations are related to particular ways of coping and levels of acceptance of disability. Implications for education, practice, and research are provided.

The Stress Experience and Mental Health among Persons with Physical Disabilities: A Minority Stress Perspective

“…Istraživanja pokazuju da su jedinstveni stresori osoba s invaliditetom kronični i višestruki. Oni mogu biti fizičke, psihološke, socijalne, ekonomske ili političke prirode (11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Ne iznenađuje da ovaj oblik stresa negativno utječe na zdravlje, dobrobit i kvalitetu života (13).…”

“…Similarly, an emerging body of research has suggested that the unique stressors experienced by persons with disabilities are both chronic and multifaceted. They can be physical, psychological, social, economic, or political in nature (11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Unsurprisingly, this stress has negative implications for health, well-being and quality of life (13).…”

“…Of additional interest is the role discrimination plays in the stress experience and mental well-being of persons with disabilities. Identifying and understanding stressors and stress-related risk factors is essential for providing effective and appropriate support in alleviating or reducing such factors and thus te na taj način promicanju zdravlja i dobrobiti osoba s invaliditetom (11,12).…”

“…U radu je korištena metoda individualnog polustrukturiranog intervjua za prikupljanje podataka o pojedinačnim perspektivama stresa. S obzirom na slabo proučavanu temu promoting health and well-being among persons with disabilities (11,12).…”

“…Rezultati ovog istraživanja podupiru hipotezu da su osobe s tjelesnim invaliditetom izlože-ne brojnim specifičnim stresorima, različitim od onih koji se obično susreću u široj javnosti (3,11,12,34). Nadalje, vrste stresora također su u skladu s nalazima drugih istraživanja koje ispituju stres kod osoba s invaliditetom.…”