title: Are satisfaction with and self-management of personal assistance services associated with the life satisfaction of persons with physical disabilities?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relationships between satisfaction with and self-management of personal assistance services (PAS) and the quality of life (QoL) of persons with disabilities. To test the postulate that consumer-directed PAS can fulfil the human need for control and contribute to a satisfactory life.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey compared the perspectives of persons using consumer-directed PAS versus those using agency-directed. A Personal Data Form obtained demographics and PAS characteristics. The Quality of Life Inventory measured life satisfaction. A PAS questionnaire measured perceptions about the management of, desire for control of, and satisfaction with PAS. Data were analysed using SPSS®- 14.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant relationships were found between QoL and satisfaction with PAS (p < 0.001) and between perceived control of PAS and satisfaction with PAS (p < 0.001). Significant group differences were also found. Consumer-directed participants reported higher satisfaction with their PAS (p < 0.01), greater control over services (p < 0.001) and greater QoL than agency-directed participants, (p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The relationships found between self-management, PAS satisfaction, and QoL support the value of consumer-directed programmes. Rehabilitation professionals can use this knowledge to develop, implement and research practises that enable self-management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 18510, USA. rpcot@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Rita P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Fleming-Castaldy
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010548:Personal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult