Social Identity and Wellness of People Who Have Acquired Physical Disability

107 Pages·2015·1.03 MB·English

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College of Science and Health Theses and
College of Science and Health
Dissertations
Summer 8-22-2014
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Katherine S. Ong
DePaul University, [email protected]
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Ong, Katherine S., "Social Identity and Wellness of People Who Have Acquired Physical Disability: What is
the Role of Social Support?" (2014). College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations. 72.
https://via.library.depaul.edu/csh_etd/72
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Social Identity and Wellness of People Who Have Acquired Physical Disability:
What is the Role of Social Support?

A Dissertation
Presented in
Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy

By
Katherine S. Ong
August, 2014

Department of Psychology
College of Science and Health
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
ii

Abstract
The degree to which individual members of social minority groups
identify with their stigmatized ingroup vary—some closely identify whereas
others distance themselves from it as a byproduct of stigmatization. Research
findings are mixed in regard to whether group identity influences well-being. One
reason is that the relationship may be obscured by other factors. This study sought
to clarify the mechanism by which group minority identity relates to health
through social support. To assess the linkages among the three variables,
individuals with acquired physical disabilities were surveyed. The study of
disability identity is of import because, first, it may predict health outcomes of
individuals with disability and second, there is dire need for psychological
research on individuals who have disabilities. Moreover, published research on
the quantitative measurement of disability identity is non-existent. Theoretical
assumptions made here were largely drawn from racial identity research. It was
predicted that the relationship between disability identity and health would vary
depending on the level of social support received. Seventy-nine individuals with
acquired physical disability participated by completing a self-report survey on
disability identity, social support, and health. Predictions were partially supported
in that a moderation effect on health was found only for one dimension of
disability identity and for disability-specific social support. Individuals who
received high levels of support from others who have a disability and had positive
regard towards the disability community tended to have healthier social
functioning. No relationship was found between disability identity and social
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functioning for those with low social support. Findings have implications for
practice, and may suggest that individuals function healthiest when the source of
and desire for support are in alignment. The current study also extends theory on
disability identity. The internal consistency of the disability identity scales used
here were similar to the racial identity scales from which they were adapted,
suggesting that they may be validly used for the population of those with acquired
disabilities. In addition, findings reiterate the importance of social support
specificity when evaluating its effects on health outcomes.
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THESIS COMMITTEE
Midge Wilson, Ph.D.
Chairperson

Christopher Keys, Ph.D.
Douglas Cellar, Ph.D.
Maria J. Ferrera, Ph.D.
Noam Ostrander, Ph.D.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my committee chair, Dr.
Midge Wilson, for her support through this and other projects. Thank you, Midge,
for your encouragement and helpful advice through the many iterations of this
dissertation, and for adopting me as a student years ago when I needed the
guidance of an advisor the most. To other members of my committee—Dr.
Christopher Keys, Dr. Douglas Cellar, Dr. Maria Ferrera, and Dr. Noam
Ostrander—thank you for your insightful feedback. My deepest appreciation also
goes to the College of Science and Health for twice awarding me the Graduate
Research Fund. The grants were critical to finishing this project in a timely
manner.
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BIOGRAPHY
The author is a first-generation immigrant to the United States and was
born in Manila, Philippines on February 8, 1983. She graduated from Grand
Blanc High School in 2002 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in
Psychology from Michigan State University in 2006. She earned a Master of Arts
degree in Clinical Psychology from Ball State University in 2008. While working
on her doctoral degree at DePaul University, she held the position of Manager of
Program Development, Evaluation, and Research at a rehabilitation hospital in
Chicago, where she managed evaluation of programs for people with disabilities
who live in under-resourced communities.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Thesis Committee……………………………………………………….
iv
Biography………………………………………………………………..
v
List of Tables……………………………………………………………
ix
List of Figures…………………………………………………………...
x
INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………
1
Stigma towards Minority Groups……………………………….
5
Stigma towards African Americans……………………..
6
Stigma towards Other Minority Groups………………...
8
Stigma towards People with Disabilities………………..
9
Group Identity…………………………………………………...
10
Black/African American Identity………………………..
11
Other Minority Identity………………………………….
17
Disability Identity……………………………………….
19
Group Identity and Health………………………………………
28
Group Norms and Health………………………………………..
31
Social Support and Health………………………………………
32
RATIONALE……………………………………………………………
42
RESEARCH QUESTIONS……………………………………..............
45
METHOD……………………………………………………………….
46
Materials…………………………………………………………
46
Disability Identity……………………………………….
46
Social Support…………………………………………...
47
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Health……………………………………………………
48
Secondary Complications to Disability………………….
49
Mental Health……………………………………............
49
Procedures……………………………………………….
50
RESULTS ……………………………………………………………...
51
Participant Characteristics……………………………….
51
Scale Properties and Internal Consistency………………
53
Preliminary Analyses……………………………………
56
Social Support as a Moderator…………………………..
58
DISCUSSION…………………………………………………………...
61
Implications …………………………………………….
67
Limitations………………………………………………
70
Future Directions………………………………………..
71
References ………………………………………………………………
75
Appendix A. Disability Identity Measure……………………………….
87
Appendix B. Social Support Measures………………………………….
88
Appendix C. Health Indicators………………………………………….
90
Appendix D. Participant Demographics and Other Characteristics……..
93
Appendix E. Information Sheet…………………………………………
95
Appendix F. Debriefing Sheet…………………………………………..
96
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Means, standard deviations, intercorrelations among study
variables………………………………………………………………..... 54

Table 2. Exploratory factor analysis for general social support (MOS-
SSS)……………………………………………………………………… 57

Table 3. Regression predicting general health…………………………... 58
Table 4. Individuals function healthier when source of, provision of,
and desire for support align……………………………………………… 68