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 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.
King
Gillian
G
Thames Valley Children's Centre, 779 Base Line Road East, London, Ontario, Canada N6C 5Y6. gilliank@tvcc.on.ca
Cathers
Tamzin
T
Brown
Elizabeth
E
Specht
Jacqueline A
JA
Willoughby
Colleen
C
Polgar
Janice Miller
JM
MacKinnon
Elizabeth
E
Smith
Linda K
LK
Havens
Lisa
L
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research