The purpose of the study was to examine how people with physical disabilities perceived themselves and whether their self-image contained social stereotypes of people with disabilities. The sample consisted of 16 respondents (13 women) with various physical disabilities of different severity. It was an exploratory study carried out within the qualitative paradigm (open questions, interviews). The semi-structured interview was based on questions related to self-esteem, body image, capabilities, breakthrough moments in life, perception by others, others’ reactions to disability and strategies used to cope with those reactions. Also, parts of the Social Perception Questionnaire (Jarymowicz, 1994) were used. The interviewees focused mainly on the positive aspects of self-perception and it could seem that their self-image did not contain stereotypes and that they did not experience discrimination from society. However, detailed analyses showed that disability stereotypes and personal experiences had an impact on some areas, such as body image and serving parental roles. In these areas, negative emotions, stereotyped views and behavioral changes were observed.
Can Practising Sport Activities Improve Body Image in People with Physical Disabilities?
