The meaning of health for women with physical disabilities: a qualitative analysis.
Researchers used qualitative research methods to explore determinants of and barriers to the health of women with physical disabilities. Semistructured, open-ended interviews were conducted with one focus group (n=9) and 9 individual women with various physical disabilities.


METHODS
(1) defined physical health as a correlate of functional capacity; (2) noted the importance of a positive mental state; (3) recognized the effect of having or lacking social support; (4) described the role of health behaviors in health promotion, as adapted to their functional limitations; and (5) described problems with their medical practitioners' lack of knowledge. Barriers included certain disability characteristics, stress, inadequate social support, societal attitudes, and lack of resources.
Nosek
Margaret A
MA
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Center for Research on Women with Disabilities, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77046, USA.
Hughes
Rosemary B
RB
Howland
Carol A
CA
Young
Mary Ellen
ME
Mullen
Patricia Dolan
PD
Shelton
Margarette L
ML
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D012944:Social Support