Psychology of Disability: Factors Affecting Quality of Life

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary factor that determines how an individual responds to a disability?

The individual's current life circumstances

The nature of the disability

The individual's personality (correct)

The individual's economic status

What type of disability is more likely to cause a negative reaction?

Acquired disability (correct)

Physical disability

Mental disability

Congenital disability

What is true about individuals with a positive outlook?

They are more likely to be dependent on others

They are more likely to embrace their disability (correct)

They are more likely to have a negative reaction to their disability

They are more likely to blame their disability for their circumstances

What determines how an individual defines themselves in relation to their disability?

Their physical characteristics Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that affects an individual's response to their disability?

Their current life circumstances Signup and view all the answers

Why do some individuals continue to live a productive life despite their disability?

Because they focus on their abilities Signup and view all the answers

What can affect an individual's independence?

Their dependency on others Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that can contribute to an individual blaming their disability for their circumstances?

Their unhappy current life circumstances Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of an individual's support system for coping with a disability?

It makes it easier for them to cope with their disability. Signup and view all the answers

What are some common effects of a disability?

Mental health issues, loss of freedom, and unemployment Signup and view all the answers

What is a major factor in the negative effects of a disability?

Restricted environments Signup and view all the answers

How do people with disabilities vary?

They are diverse and heterogeneous Signup and view all the answers

What can health conditions be?

Visible or invisible, temporary or long-term Signup and view all the answers

How do people with disabilities view their health?

Many do not consider themselves unhealthy Signup and view all the answers

What can be misleading?

Generalizations about disability Signup and view all the answers

What is correlated with disadvantage?

Disability Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

People respond to disabilities in different ways, and their quality of life can be negatively affected if they react negatively.
Factors that affect the impact of a disability on an individual include:

Nature of the Disability

Disabilities can be acquired (result of an accident or disease) or congenital (present at birth).
Acquired disabilities are more likely to cause a negative reaction than congenital disabilities.

Individual's Personality

An individual's personality can be positive or negative, dependent or independent, goal-oriented or laissez-faire.
A positive outlook can help someone embrace a disability, while a negative outlook can hinder it.

Meaning of the Disability to the Individual

If an individual defines themselves by their physical characteristics, they may feel defined by their disability and experience a negative impact.

Individual's Current Life Circumstances

Factors such as independence, economic status, education level, and happiness with current life circumstances can affect how an individual copes with a disability.

Individual's Support System

Having a strong support system from family, friends, or social groups can help an individual cope with a disability.

Common Effects of a Disability

Common effects of a disability may include health conditions, mental health issues, loss of freedom and independence, frustration, and anger.
These negative effects are often due to restricted environments rather than the impairment itself.

Diversity of Disability

Disability encompasses a wide range of health conditions, personal factors, and environmental factors.
People with disabilities are diverse and heterogeneous, and should not be stereotyped.
Generalizations about "disability" or "people with disabilities" can be misleading.
Each person with a disability has their own unique personal factors, preferences, and responses to their disability.

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Description

This quiz explores the factors that influence how individuals respond to disabilities, including the nature of the disability and the individual's personality. Test your understanding of how these factors impact quality of life.