In order to reach maximum psychological, social and vocational adjustment, spinal cord injured men and women must learn to overcome attitudinal and environmental barriers. Some research has been conducted to determine the demographic and disability related characteristics that influence acceptance of disability. However, these studies have been conducted almost exclusively with men or with a limited sample of women. Given the personal, social and vocational implications of acceptance of disability, this study was designed to determine whether gender and six other variables significantly affect acceptance of disability among spinal cord injured people. / Two questionnaires were mailed to the entire population of spinal cord injured clients of the Florida Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. The first questionnaire addressed demographic and disability related characteristics. The second instrument was the Acceptance of Disability (AD) Scale, developed by Linkowski (1969) and based on Dembo, Leviton, and Wright's (1956) theory of acceptance of loss. Data collection was considered complete at the end of six weeks; 266 clients (61.6%) responded. / Results indicated that women were significantly more accepting of their disability. A significant inverse relationship between acceptance of disability and age was present despite the duration of the disability, and a significant positive relationship was found between acceptance of disability and duration of the disability regardless of the person's age. Educational level was positively related to acceptance of disability and findings also suggested other relationships between demographic and disability related characteristics and acceptance of disability. The most notable implications of this study pertain to rehabilitation and counseling strategies for professionals working with people with spinal cord injuries, as well as the education and research programs addressing the rehabilitation process. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 43-02, Section: A, page: 0409. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1982.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_74749 |
| Contributors | WOODRICH, FRANK., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 144 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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