Brief Report

Acquired physical disability: Personal meanings in a rural South African setting

Published in: Journal of Psychology in Africa
Volume 28 , issue 6 , 2018 , pages: 514–517

DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2018.1547865

Author(s): Marubini Christinah Sadiki Department of Psychology, South Africa , Makondelele Radzilani-Makatu Department of Psychology, South Africa , Marty Prudence Zikhali Department of Sociology, South Africa

Keywords: acquired physical disability , adults , barriers , meaning , rural areas , well-being

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Abstract

This study explored personal meanings attached to acquired physical disabilities in a rural South African community. Informants were seven adults with disability (females = 4; age range = 18 to 55 years). They responded to semi-structured face-to-face interviews on the meanings they attached to their physical disabilities acquired during adulthood. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis: new life style, activity limitations, participation restrictions, and cultural marginalisation. The meanings and accompanying lifestyle changes have implications for personal functioning and social well-being.

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