Turning Points and Protective Processes in the Lives of People With Chronic Disabilities

In this qualitative study, the authors examined the nature of resilience in people with chronic disabilities. Fifteen people with disabilities identified the factors that helped or hindered them at major turning points, and the triggers and resolutions to these turning points. Turning points were em...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Qualitative health research 2003-02, Vol.13 (2), p.184-206
Main Authors: King, Gillian, Cathers, Tamzin, Brown, Elizabeth, Specht, Jacqueline A., Willoughby, Colleen, Polgar, Janice Miller, Mackinnon, Elizabeth, Smith, Linda K., Havens, Lisa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Attitudes
Behavior
Canada
Chronic Disease - psychology
Chronically
Disabled people
Disabled Persons - psychology
Female
Health technology assessment
Humans
Life Change Events
Male
Middle Aged
People with disabilities
Personal Satisfaction
Protective factors
Qualitative Research
Resilience
Turning points
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Summary:In this qualitative study, the authors examined the nature of resilience in people with chronic disabilities. Fifteen people with disabilities identified the factors that helped or hindered them at major turning points, and the triggers and resolutions to these turning points. Turning points were emotionally compelling experiences and realizations that involved meaning acquired through the routes of belonging, doing, or understanding the self or the world. The major protective factors were social support, traits such as perseverance and determination, and spiritual beliefs. Three new protective processes were identified: replacing a loss with a gain (transcending), recognizing new things about oneself (self-understanding), and making decisions about relinquishing something in life (accommodating). These protective factors, processes, and ways in which people with disabilities draw sense and meaning in life have important implications for service delivery.
ISSN:1049-7323
1552-7557
DOI:10.1177/1049732302239598