Turning points and protective factors in the lives of persons with disabilities

1997 - 1998

Investigators & Staff

• G King
• J Specht
• J Miller Polgar
• T Cathers
• C Willoughby
• E MacKinnon

Funding Agency

St Mary's Fund - $55,000 (1997-1998)

Summary

This retrospective qualitative study asked individuals with chronic non-progressive disabilities to look back on their lives and identify key turning points, the factors that helped or hindered them at these critical periods, and also to describe the processes by which these factors operated. Many individuals with disabilities do well in life despite their disability; yet we know very little about what has given them strength to cope with adversities or has encouraged them to surmount obstacles. Asking these individuals about key turning points (significant life events, experiences, and realizations) is an ideal way to uncover the personal, interpersonal and community factors that helped them to attain success (as they themselves define it).

To read more on this study, please refer to:

• Keeping Current: "What helps and hinders people at turning points in life?" (KC 99-7).
• King, G., Cather, T., Brown, E., Specht, J.A.., Willoughby, C., Miller Polgar, J., MacKinnon, E., Smith, L.K., & Havens, L. (2001). Turning points and protective processes in the lives of people with chronic disabilities. Manuscript submitted for publication.
• King, G. (2001). The meaning of life experiences: Application of a model to rehabilitation sciences and services. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Impact

Findings provide insights into what factors can help and hinder the community participation and life satisfaction of individuals with disabilities.