What factors affect the quality of life of employed physically disabled people? A qualitative exploration of their experiences

Abstract

BACKGROUND: According to the literature, the majority of People With Physical Disabilities (PWPDs) have a low Quality of Life (QOL). The goal of this study was to look at the experiences of a group of employed PWPDs in Iran in terms of the factors influencing their QOL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A conventional qualitative content study was carried out in Qazvin City, Iran, from February to August 2020. Twenty-eight semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 20 employed PWPDs (6 men and 14 women), 5 five family members, and 3 of the participants’ employers (n = 3) were conducted. Participants were asked about their experiences with factors that impacted the QOL of employed PWPDs. RESULTS: Continuous analysis of data began and continued up to data saturation. The participants’ experiences on influencing variables QOL were merged into four major categories: psychological state, socioeconomic problems, structural obstructions, and physical constraints. CONCLUSION: Conducting psychological therapy to reduce stress and using adaptive coping strategies, changing perceptions of the community about PWPDs via the media, and also improving environmental infrastructure may help to increase QOL in PWPDs.