Gallery Presentation International Positive Psychology Association 7th IPPA World Congress 2021

Psychological Distress and Disability Acceptance as Correlates to Psychological Wellbeing of Adults with Acquired Physical Disability (#164)

Jan Graham Dalawampu 1
  1. Southville International School and Colleges, Las Pinas City, Philippines

Few to limited research have been conducted to fully understand the impact of acquiring a physical disability to their psychological wellbeing and disability acceptance among the Philippine population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological distress and disability acceptance as correlates to the psychological wellbeing among Filipino adults aged at least 18 years old with an acquired physical disability and having permanent effects. As a result, people with acquired physical disability generally showed low psychological distress, as well as a high disability acceptance and psychological wellbeing. Second, psychological distress and disability acceptance, as well as psychological distress and psychological wellbeing were negatively correlated to one another. Third, disability acceptance and psychological wellbeing are positively correlated to another. Fourth, psychological distress and disability acceptance, as well as disability acceptance and psychological wellbeing had a significant difference when grouped according to civil status. Fifth, psychological distress and psychological wellbeing had a significant difference when grouped according to the duration of the disability. Results from this study will contribute to the clinical psychologists' knowledge about the relationship between psychological distress, disability acceptance and psychological wellbeing to acquired physical disabilities. Based on the available findings, the author offered suggestions and recommendations to persons with acquired physical disability, family, and friends of individuals with a physical disability, as well as paraprofessionals and future researchers.

  • Keywords: Diversity and Inclusion