Mental Health Problem among Persons with Disability

Abstract

This qualitative research employed a grounded theory approach to explore the nature of psychological problems in people with disability. This study also explored the developmental process of these psychological problems. This study included three types of disabilities namely physical, visual, and hearing & speech disability. In depth interviews were conducted with nine participants, among them three had physical disability, two had hearing & speech disability and four had visual disability. There were five male participants and four female participants. Participants were selected using purposive sampling strategy from different organizations and personal contact. In-depth interview data were analyzed using the qualitative data analysis software NVivo-10. The findings revealed several mental health problems exist among person with disability. These mental health problems are helplessness, devalued, uselessness, burden, neglected, sadness, numbness, suicidal thought, avoidance, abusing drug etc. It was developed through a three sets of perspectives. They were found as the main contributors of the perception of disability. These were family view, social view and self view. Real life issues also played an important role in the development of these views and mental health problems. Researcher also found there was a common conception about disability that portrayed disability as dependent, incapable, inanimate and discriminated. This conception is vice versa. The family view, social view, self view and mental health problems make the conception and the conception of disability also help in their creation. This study helps one to understand the developmental process of mental health problems. By this, professionals can formulate a client and facilitate the development of the current treatment practice as to better assist the people with disabilities. It provides an insight in dealing with disability with higher efficiency.