Stress in families with physically disabled child

U izvedenom istraživanju ispitane su karakteristike porodičnog funkcionisanja i strategije prevladavanja stresa u porodicama s telesno invalidnim detetom u svetlu sistemskog pristupa porodici, s ciljem da se utvrde eventualni poremećaji u stabilnosti, prilagodljivosti i kohezivnosti ovih porodičnih grupa. Otkrivanje specifičnih odlika ovih porodičnih sistema i efekata ometenosti deteta na funkcionisanje roditelja kao pojedinca, na bračni par i na porodični sistem značajno je radi iznalaženja što efikasnijih pristupa porodičnim resursima koji omogućavaju zdrav razvoj porodičnog sistema. Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na disfunkcionalnost porodičnih sistema porodica s telesno invalidnim detetom, na po više parametara stresogeniju životnu situaciju ovih porodica u odnosu na porodice sa zdravim detetom, na razlike između roditelja zdrave i roditelja telesno ometene dece na nivou ličnosti i na specifičnu strukturu korišćenja strategija porodičnog prevladavanja stresa. Ovakvi rezultati ukazuju na moguće pravce daljih istraživanja usmerenih, pre svega, na otkrivanje puteva poboljšanja funkcionisanja ovih porodičnih sistema i na dalje utvrđivanje strategija prevladavanja stresa koje treba ojačati.This investigation, being a part of more extensive study, was intended to reveal the characteristics of a physically disabled child’s family functioning, the problems which parents of these children are meeting, as well as the coping strategies likely to be used within these family systems. Structured interview and a battery of questionnaires were applied to a sample of 61 parents of physically disabled children and the results have been compared with results obtained from parents of children with other types of disability, as well as for parents of healthy children. Data about satisfactions and dissatisfactions with marital and family life, about most difficult problems these parents are meeting in rearing the children and about reactions of social surrounding, have been obtained. This investigation findings suggest for these family systems that they fall into the category of flexible and highly cohesive systems, that there is a tendency of closing within the boundaries of primary family, that the strategy of passive coping is the most common strategy, that parents of these children are not inclined to search for social support, and use basic personality supports less often than parents of healthy children do. The findings point to the direction needed in further investigations. All of the mechanisms this group of parents are using and the strategies these families could use in coping with such a pervasive stressful event, have to be explored

Stress in families with physically disabled child

U izvedenom istraživanju ispitane su karakteristike porodičnog funkcionisanja i strategije prevladavanja stresa u porodicama s telesno invalidnim detetom u svetlu sistemskog pristupa porodici, s ciljem da se utvrde eventualni poremećaji u stabilnosti, prilagodljivosti i kohezivnosti ovih porodičnih grupa. Otkrivanje specifičnih odlika ovih porodičnih sistema i efekata ometenosti deteta na funkcionisanje roditelja kao pojedinca, na bračni par i na porodični sistem značajno je radi iznalaženja što efikasnijih pristupa porodičnim resursima koji omogućavaju zdrav razvoj porodičnog sistema. Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na disfunkcionalnost porodičnih sistema porodica s telesno invalidnim detetom, na po više parametara stresogeniju životnu situaciju ovih porodica u odnosu na porodice sa zdravim detetom, na razlike između roditelja zdrave i roditelja telesno ometene dece na nivou ličnosti i na specifičnu strukturu korišćenja strategija porodičnog prevladavanja stresa. Ovakvi rezultati ukazuju na moguće pravce daljih istraživanja usmerenih, pre svega, na otkrivanje puteva poboljšanja funkcionisanja ovih porodičnih sistema i na dalje utvrđivanje strategija prevladavanja stresa koje treba ojačati.This investigation, being a part of more extensive study, was intended to reveal the characteristics of a physically disabled child’s family functioning, the problems which parents of these children are meeting, as well as the coping strategies likely to be used within these family systems. Structured interview and a battery of questionnaires were applied to a sample of 61 parents of physically disabled children and the results have been compared with results obtained from parents of children with other types of disability, as well as for parents of healthy children. Data about satisfactions and dissatisfactions with marital and family life, about most difficult problems these parents are meeting in rearing the children and about reactions of social surrounding, have been obtained. This investigation findings suggest for these family systems that they fall into the category of flexible and highly cohesive systems, that there is a tendency of closing within the boundaries of primary family, that the strategy of passive coping is the most common strategy, that parents of these children are not inclined to search for social support, and use basic personality supports less often than parents of healthy children do. The findings point to the direction needed in further investigations. All of the mechanisms this group of parents are using and the strategies these families could use in coping with such a pervasive stressful event, have to be explored

System support for families of children with disabilities with emphasis on families of deaf children

Birth of a child represents a change in family structure, a change that requires an adoption of new roles, as it brings new incentives to family dynamics. Birth of a child with disabilities, in fact a comprehension that a child has developmental disabilities, represents a stressor of different quality, placing a heavy burden on the family for a long period of time. As in other, different stress situations, pain and suffering, brought by the knowledge of child’s disability, could present a trigger for the occurrence of different reactions and feelings on different levels. Shock, non-recognition of a disability, ambivalence, resentment, discouragement, chronic tension, feelings of guilt, feelings of isolation, defeat, depression, feeling of helplessness, blaming others, loss of self-esteem are just some of the possible reactions. In addition, parents are faced with an ongoing insecurity and greater anxiety in raising their child. Parents are being rewarded less by their children’s achievements than parents of healthy children, there is a decline in their expectations. Also, fear of labelling the family as “different” may appear, as well as problems with the acceptance of moving a child to a special category. Finally, lack of criteria for predicting the future of the child presents a particular source of suffering. Establishing good cooperation with the family, in order to establish a system of family support, requires many individual contacts, knowledge of its functioning, a lot of time and patience, as well as linking with experts in various fields. Early intervention is an integral part of the system of support for families of children with disabilities. We started from the fact that in helping children it is important to work not only with the child, but also with parents and that every form of work with parents is good, if it contributes to the child’s general development. Support for families of deaf and hard of hearing children begins soon after the baby is diagnosed with hearing loss. Early intervention, carried out through the participation of children and parents in the rehabilitation treatments, should help parents understand what the hearing loss brings, as well as help them gain confidence in parenting. It should also help parents realize the strengths and needs of their child and to enable a child to acquire necessary language skills that are essential in order for a child to become an equal member of the society

System support for families of children with disabilities with emphasis on families of deaf children

Birth of a child represents a change in family structure, a change that requires an adoption of new roles, as it brings new incentives to family dynamics. Birth of a child with disabilities, in fact a comprehension that a child has developmental disabilities, represents a stressor of different quality, placing a heavy burden on the family for a long period of time. As in other, different stress situations, pain and suffering, brought by the knowledge of child’s disability, could present a trigger for the occurrence of different reactions and feelings on different levels. Shock, non-recognition of a disability, ambivalence, resentment, discouragement, chronic tension, feelings of guilt, feelings of isolation, defeat, depression, feeling of helplessness, blaming others, loss of self-esteem are just some of the possible reactions. In addition, parents are faced with an ongoing insecurity and greater anxiety in raising their child. Parents are being rewarded less by their children’s achievements than parents of healthy children, there is a decline in their expectations. Also, fear of labelling the family as “different” may appear, as well as problems with the acceptance of moving a child to a special category. Finally, lack of criteria for predicting the future of the child presents a particular source of suffering. Establishing good cooperation with the family, in order to establish a system of family support, requires many individual contacts, knowledge of its functioning, a lot of time and patience, as well as linking with experts in various fields. Early intervention is an integral part of the system of support for families of children with disabilities. We started from the fact that in helping children it is important to work not only with the child, but also with parents and that every form of work with parents is good, if it contributes to the child’s general development. Support for families of deaf and hard of hearing children begins soon after the baby is diagnosed with hearing loss. Early intervention, carried out through the participation of children and parents in the rehabilitation treatments, should help parents understand what the hearing loss brings, as well as help them gain confidence in parenting. It should also help parents realize the strengths and needs of their child and to enable a child to acquire necessary language skills that are essential in order for a child to become an equal member of the society

Comparative analysis of stigmatisation attitudes toward family members of persons suffering from Schizophrenia or Autism

Cilj ovog rada je pore�����enje odnosa izmedju tendencije ka stigmatizaciji članova porodice osoba sa shizofrenijom i osoba s autizmom. Izvršeno je pore�����enje rezultata dva nezavisna uzorka, koji je činilo ukupno 989 pripadnika opšte populacije. Ispitanici su imali zadatak da odgovore na Upitnik o porodičnoj stigmi (Family Stigma Questionnaire - FSQ). Kvantitativna analiza rezultata ne pokazuje značajne razlike u vrednovanju konstrukata stigmatizacije (p>0,05) članova porodice osoba sa autizmom (AS=3.10) i shizofrenijom (AS=3.285), ali je uočena različita distribucija vrednovanih parametara. U oba uzorka više se stigmatizuju roditelji nego braća i sestre. Roditelji osoba s autizmom smatraju se odgovornijim (nego braća i sestre) za početak bolesti, pogoršanja i za kompetentnost, dok ispitanici smatraju da roditelji osoba sa shizofrenijom (više nego braća i sestre) treba još i da se više stide, da ih treba više izbegavati i da simptomi bolesti mogu lakše da se odraze na njih nego na braću i sestre. Razlike u stigmatizaciji porodičnih uloga oca i majke ispoljavaju se samo u stavovima prema roditeljima osoba sa shizofrenijom (majka je podložnija kontaminaciji i treba je više sažaljevati, a otac je manje kompetentan). Struktura interkorelacija konstrukata skale ukazuje na stav ispitanika da roditelji osoba s autizmom treba da se stide i treba ih sažaljevati ako ih okrivljavaju, dok brat i sestra u istom slučaju ne treba da se stide i ne treba da se izbegavaju. Ista analiza ukazuje na stav da roditelji osoba sa shizofrenijom ako se smatraju odgovorni treba da se stide i treba ih izbegavati, a ne i da ih treba sažaljevati. Ako se smatra da bolest može da se odrazi na brata ili sestru, stav ispitanika je da ih zbog toga treba sažaljevati, ali da ne treba da se stide niti da se izbegavaju. Potrebna su dalja istraživanja radi preciznijeg utvr�����ivanja strukture stigme.Purpose of this paper is to compare stigmatization attitudes toward family members of persons suffering from schizophrenia with the attitudes of family members of persons suffering from autism. Compared were the results obtained from two independent samples which included 989 subjects coming from general population. The respondents had to answer The Family Stigma Questionnaire –FSQ. Quantitative analysis has not revealed significant differences in valuation of the constructs of stigmatization (p>0.05) for family members of autistic persons (AS=3.10) and for family members of schizophrenic persons (AS=3.285), though observed were the differences in distribution of evaluated parameters. Parents of autistic persons are considered more responsible than brothers or sisters of these persons for the onset of illness, its deterioration and their own incompetence, while, according to the respondents, the parents of persons suffering from schizophrenia should feel more shame, should be more avoided and could be more easily contaminated with the illness than the brothers or the sisters of schizophrenic persons. Differences in stigmatization of different family roles are manifested only in attitudes toward parents of schizophrenic persons (mother is more exposed to contamination and should be more pitied, while father is les competent). The structure of inter-correlation of constructs of the scale suggest that the respondents think the parents of autistic persons should feel shame and should be pitied if they are taken responsible, while brothers or sisters in the same case should not feel shame and should not be avoided. The same analysis suggest there is an attitude that the parents of schizophrenic persons should feel shame and should be avoided but not pitied if considered responsible. If the respondents think the illness might contaminate brothers or sisters, they feel the brothers and sisters should be pitied and should not be ashamed or avoided. Further investigations are needed to obtain more accurate structure of the stigma

Comparative analysis of stigmatisation attitudes toward family members of persons suffering from Schizophrenia or Autism

Cilj ovog rada je pore�����enje odnosa izmedju tendencije ka stigmatizaciji članova porodice osoba sa shizofrenijom i osoba s autizmom. Izvršeno je pore�����enje rezultata dva nezavisna uzorka, koji je činilo ukupno 989 pripadnika opšte populacije. Ispitanici su imali zadatak da odgovore na Upitnik o porodičnoj stigmi (Family Stigma Questionnaire - FSQ). Kvantitativna analiza rezultata ne pokazuje značajne razlike u vrednovanju konstrukata stigmatizacije (p>0,05) članova porodice osoba sa autizmom (AS=3.10) i shizofrenijom (AS=3.285), ali je uočena različita distribucija vrednovanih parametara. U oba uzorka više se stigmatizuju roditelji nego braća i sestre. Roditelji osoba s autizmom smatraju se odgovornijim (nego braća i sestre) za početak bolesti, pogoršanja i za kompetentnost, dok ispitanici smatraju da roditelji osoba sa shizofrenijom (više nego braća i sestre) treba još i da se više stide, da ih treba više izbegavati i da simptomi bolesti mogu lakše da se odraze na njih nego na braću i sestre. Razlike u stigmatizaciji porodičnih uloga oca i majke ispoljavaju se samo u stavovima prema roditeljima osoba sa shizofrenijom (majka je podložnija kontaminaciji i treba je više sažaljevati, a otac je manje kompetentan). Struktura interkorelacija konstrukata skale ukazuje na stav ispitanika da roditelji osoba s autizmom treba da se stide i treba ih sažaljevati ako ih okrivljavaju, dok brat i sestra u istom slučaju ne treba da se stide i ne treba da se izbegavaju. Ista analiza ukazuje na stav da roditelji osoba sa shizofrenijom ako se smatraju odgovorni treba da se stide i treba ih izbegavati, a ne i da ih treba sažaljevati. Ako se smatra da bolest može da se odrazi na brata ili sestru, stav ispitanika je da ih zbog toga treba sažaljevati, ali da ne treba da se stide niti da se izbegavaju. Potrebna su dalja istraživanja radi preciznijeg utvr�����ivanja strukture stigme.Purpose of this paper is to compare stigmatization attitudes toward family members of persons suffering from schizophrenia with the attitudes of family members of persons suffering from autism. Compared were the results obtained from two independent samples which included 989 subjects coming from general population. The respondents had to answer The Family Stigma Questionnaire –FSQ. Quantitative analysis has not revealed significant differences in valuation of the constructs of stigmatization (p>0.05) for family members of autistic persons (AS=3.10) and for family members of schizophrenic persons (AS=3.285), though observed were the differences in distribution of evaluated parameters. Parents of autistic persons are considered more responsible than brothers or sisters of these persons for the onset of illness, its deterioration and their own incompetence, while, according to the respondents, the parents of persons suffering from schizophrenia should feel more shame, should be more avoided and could be more easily contaminated with the illness than the brothers or the sisters of schizophrenic persons. Differences in stigmatization of different family roles are manifested only in attitudes toward parents of schizophrenic persons (mother is more exposed to contamination and should be more pitied, while father is les competent). The structure of inter-correlation of constructs of the scale suggest that the respondents think the parents of autistic persons should feel shame and should be pitied if they are taken responsible, while brothers or sisters in the same case should not feel shame and should not be avoided. The same analysis suggest there is an attitude that the parents of schizophrenic persons should feel shame and should be avoided but not pitied if considered responsible. If the respondents think the illness might contaminate brothers or sisters, they feel the brothers and sisters should be pitied and should not be ashamed or avoided. Further investigations are needed to obtain more accurate structure of the stigma

Stigmatization of persons with mental illnesses

Cilj ovog rada je utvr�����ivanje stepena i vidova stigmatizacije osoba sa različitim mentalnim poremećajima u opštoj populaciji. Za utv�����rivanje stavova o odre�����enim mentalnim poremećajima (depresija, fobija, schizofrenija, demencija, poremećaji ishrane, alkoholizam i narkomanija) korišćen je strukturisani intervju, zadavan u formi upitnika. Od ispitanika je traženo da odgovore koliko se svaka od osam izjava odnosi na osobe sa navedenim poremećajima. Izjave se odnose na opasnost po druge, nepredvidljivost, teškoću uspostavljanja razgovora sa tim osobama, da li se osećaju drugačije od većine ljudi, da li treba samo sebe da krive za stanje u kome se nalaze, da li mogu da se saberu ukoliko to žele, da li će se oporaviti sa tretmanom ili se nikada neće u potpunosti oporaviti. Za svaku izjavu ispitanici su birali odgovor na petostepenoj skali Likertovog tipa. Uzorkom je obuhvaćeno 336 ispitanika, oba pola (206 žena i 130 muškaraca) uzrasta iznad 16 godina. Analiza rezultata pokazuje da kao najopasnije (AS 1.92; AS 2.05; AS 2.02), kao najmanje predvidive (AS 2.01; AS 2.08; AS 1.94) i kao osobe s kojima se najteže razgovara (AS 2.14; AS 2.17; AS 2.17) ispitanici opažaju osobe s bolestima zavisnosti (narkomanija i alkoholizam) i sa shizofrenijom. Ispitanici tako�����e opažaju da su osobe s bolestima zavisnosti u najvećoj meri same krive za stanje u kome se nalaze (AS 2.24; AS 2.30). Osobe s demencijom i shizofrenijom smatraju se osobama čije se stanje ne može popraviti tretmanom (AS 3.17; AS 3.00) i osobama koje se nikada ne mogu oporaviti (AS 3.57; AS 3.59). Na osnovu dobijenih reyultata mo\e se yaklju;iti da su najstigmatizovaniji poremećaji bolesti zavisnosti i shizofrenija. Osobe s bolestima zavisnosti i shizofrenijom se opažaju kao opasne, nepredvidljive i osobe s kojima se teško razgovara, što obeshrabruje uspostavljanje bližeg kontakta s njima. Stavovi o prognozi i tretmanu u pogledu različitih mentalnih bolesti su generalno realistični. Osobe za koje se smatra da se neće popraviti sa tretmanom i koje se nikada neće oporaviti su osobe s demencijom i shizofrenijom. Ovi nalazi ukazuju da postoji razumevanje nekih aspekata mentalnih poremećaja na kojima se buduće anti stigma kampanje mogu bazirati. ,The aim od the study was to determine the forms and the degree of stigmatization by general public of persons suffering from different kinds of mental disorders. Aiming at exploring attitudes towards several mental disorders (depression, phobia, schizophrenia, dementia, nutrition disorder, and alcoholism and drug abuse) structured interview, applied in the form of questionnaire, was used.. Respondents were presented with eight statements and asked to asses the relevance of each statement for each of the mentioned disorders. The statements claimed that persons suffering from some disorder i) presented a threat for other people, ii) were unpredictable, iii) had difficulties to get engaged in conversation, iv) felt odd, v) should blame themselves alone for their condition, vi) could not compose themselves at will, vii) would not get better by any treatment and viii) they would never entirely recover. For each statement the respondents could chose an answer from five levels Lickert type scale. The sample comprised 336 respondents (206 females and 130 males) who were all 16 years and older. Analyses of the results obtained showed that as the most dangerous (AS 1.92; AS 2.05; AS 2.02), the least predictable (AS 2.01; AS 2.08; AS 1.94), and the most difficult to engage in conversation with (AS 2.14; AS 2.17; AS 2.17) the respondents assessed to be persons suffering from addiction (drug abuse and alchocolism) or schizophrenia. Addicts were also assessed to be themselves the most responsible for their condition (AS 2.24; AS 2.30). The condition of persons suffering from dementia or schizophrenia was considered to be beyond recuperation by treatment (AS 3.17; AS 3.00) and the recovery of these persons was considered impossible. (AS 3.57; AS 3.59). The results lead to conclusion that addictions and schizophrenia are the most stigmatized disorders. Persons suffering from these disorders are deemed to be threatening, unpredictable, difficult to talk with, which discourages close bonding with them. Opinions on prognosis and treatment for different mental illnesses are realist cal in general. Persons who were assessed to stand no chance for improvement by treatment or for recovery are those suffering from dementia and schizophrenia. These results indicate that general public understands some aspects of mental disorders, what could be useful for anti-stigma campaigns in future

Attitude of people with intellectual disabilities towards the identity of intellectual disability and possible role of experts in its maintaining

Cilj: ovaj rad istražuje odnos koji osobe sa intelektualnom ometenošću (IO) imaju prema identitetu intelektualne ometenosti i ulogu stručnjaka u prihvatanju i održavanju njihovog identiteta. Metod: Istraživanjem je obuhvaćeno trideset šest ispitanika (korisnika ustanova za brigu o IO), na gornjoj granici umerene intelektualne ometenosti, 19 muškog i 17 ženskog pola, uzrasta 12-36 godina, sa dobrim veštinama komunikacije. Podaci su prikupljeni putem strukturisanog intervjua. Stavovi stručnjaka o prihvatanju identiteta intelektualne ometenosti kod osoba sa IO i otvorenoj komunikaciji na temu identiteta ometenosti procenjeni su pomoću Upitnika o identitetu intelektualne ometenosti. Uzorak stručnjaka čini trideset troje zaposlenih u dnevnim boravcima za odrasle osobe sa IO. Rezultati: rezultati ukazuju da su osobe sa IO svesne stigme povezane sa identitetom IO i ne osećaju se prijatno u razgovoru koji aludira na ovaj identitet. Da bi izašli na kraj s osećanjima koje izaziva stigma, osobe sa IO koriste dva mehanizma: i) sebe prikazuju što sličnijim osobama tipičnog razvoja ili ii) sebe porede u pozitivnom smislu u odnosu na manje sposobne ispitanike koji se nalaze u ustanovi. Nađeno je takođe da su psiholozi i specijalni edukatori, u odnosu na grupu negovatelja, medicinskih sestara i terapeuta, verovatno spremniji da otvoreno pristupe temi ometenosti, da je manje izbegavaju u razgovoru i da pokazuju manju sklonost da svoju nelagodnost projektuju na klijente. Zaključak: Trebalo bi da se pažljivo razmotri kako se stručnjaci i članovi porodice odnose prema pitanju identiteta ometenosti i načinu da se intelektualno ometenoj osobi pruži mogućnost da lakše razreši konflikt identiteta.their identity of intellectually disabled persons and the role of professionals in accepting and maintaining of that identity. Methods: structured interview was used to obtain data from service users (36 users on upper level of moderate intellectual disability and with good communication skills, 12-36 years old, 19 males and 17 females). Attitudes of professionals towards accepting of identity of intellectual disability in persons with intellectual disability and towards open communication concerning that identity were assessed with Learning Disability Service Questionnaire. The sample consisted of 33 professionals working in daily centers for intellectually disabled persons. Results: the results indicated that intellectually disabled individuals were aware of the stigma connected with the identity of intellectual disability and were feeling discomfort whenever the issue of the identity of intellectual disability had been brought up during conversation. They have two ways of managing the stigma: i) describing themselves as similar to people without intellectual disabilities or ii) stating their difference to more intellectually disabled individuals. It was also found that psychologists and special educators, compared to nurses and therapists, are possibly more apt to openly approach the issue of disability, show less degree of avoidance of the issue in conversation and are less ready to project own discomfort to clients. Conclusions: there is a need for careful consideration of the ways in which issue of this identity is met by service-providers and by family members, as well as the ways in which disabled persons are encouraged to resolve the conflict of identity

Da li je čaša poluprazna ili polupuna - sociodemografske varijable i vrsta ometenosti kao determinante nade kod osoba s ometenošću

Hope has a special importance for persons with disabilities, who are often overwhelmed with negative emotions of sadness, anxiety and fear of the future. The concept of hope can be determined as inner strength which helps in overcoming the effects of negative life circumstances. The aim of the study was to determine the overall level of hope in three groups of persons with disability, and to establish its relationship with sociodemographic variables. The sample (N=929) consisted of persons with physical disabilities (N=351), hearing impairments (N=337) and visual impairments (N=241). The following scales were applied: Herth Hope Index (HHI) and Sociodemographic questionnaire. The results indicate that younger participants expressed higher level of hope compared to older participants, women compared to the men, more educated participants had more hope than participants with lower educational level, employed participants and students had more hope than unemployed and retired participants, married and unmarried participants had more hope than divorced and widowed participants, participants who live with a partner, with a partner and children or with parents had more hope than participants who live only with children, and participants with higher income had more hope than participants with lower income. Persons with sensory impairments expressed higher optimism regarding future goals, higher optimism for overcoming problems, and higher optimism for receiving outside support compared to persons with physical disabilities.Nada ima poseban značaj za osobe s ometenošću, često preplavljene negativnim osećanjima tuge, strepnje i straha od budućnosti. Koncept nade može da se odredi kao unutrašnja snaga koja pomaže u prevazilaženju efekata negativnih životnih događaja. Cilj istraživanja je bio da se utvrdi nivo nade kod tri različite grupe osoba s ometenošću i njegova povezanost sa sociodemografskim karakteristikama ispitanika. Uzorak je obuhvatio 929 ispitanika, 351 ispitanik je bio s motoričkim oštećenjem, 337 s oštećenjem sluha i 241 s oštećenjem vida. Primenjene su skale: Skala nade Hertove (HHI - Herth Hope Index) i Upitnik o sociodemografskim podacima. Rezultati pokazuju da više nade ispoljavaju mlađi ispitanici u odnosu na grupu starijih ispitanika, žene u odnosu na muškarce, obrazovaniji u odnosu na manje obrazovane, zaposleni i studenti u odnosu na nezaposlene i penzionere, oženjeni i neoženjeni u odnosu na razvedene i udovce, oni ko ji žive sa partnerom, s partnerom i decom ili s roditeljima u odnosu na one koji žive samo s decom i ispitanici s visokim ili srednjim prihodima u odnosu na one sa niskim prihodima. Osobe sa senzornom ometenošću ispoljavaju više nade u pogledu ostvarenja budućih ciljeva, postojanja unutrašnje snage za prevladavanje, dobijanja spoIjašnje podrške u odnosu na osobe sa motoričkim oštećenjem

Quality of life of persons with physical and sensory impairments in Serbia

Quality of life, as an important component of psychological welfare, has a special importance for persons with disabilities. The aim of the study was to find sociodemographic variables that are influential in this construct and to establish differences between persons with different types of disabilities. The sample (N=929) consisted of persons with physical (N=351), hearing (N=337) or visual (N=241) disabilities from five cities in Serbia. The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) scale was administrated. Gender, marital status, age, education, incomes, job, and where and with whom participant lives, proved to be important factors for the quality of life of persons with disabilities. Better ratings of quality of life were expressed in younger and more educated persons with disabilities, in those who were married and unmarried compared to divorced and widows, in the employed and students compared to the unemployed and retired, in those living with parents, with a spouse or with a spouse and children compared to persons living just with children. Participants with physical disabilities attained significantly poorer scores on all factors of the WHOQOL scale compared to participants with hearing and visual disabilities. The results of the study suggest that persons with physical disabilities experience lower satisfaction in all domains of quality of life compared to persons with sensory disabilities; and that a socio-demographic status is important in sustaining their quality of life. In developing intervening programs for persons with disabilities, socio-demographic variables influencing the quality of life of these persons must be considered. Holistic care for these people should focus on social support