Positive assertion and acceptance among persons with disabilities

Journal of Rehabilitation, July-Sept, 1989 by James G. Joiner, Paula S. Lovett, Linda K. Goodwin

Positive Assertion and Acceptance Among Persons with Disabilities

Data were collected from several groups of persons with various disabilities to determine factors contributing to assertiveness and acceptance of disability. Type of disability was found to be a significant predictor for assertiveness and acceptance. Several contributing demographic factors are discussed based on their relevance to the variables studied. Populations which are in greatest need of assertion training and counseling for acceptance of their disabilities are identified.

One's perceptions of one's disability is a key to the rational acceptance of the fact of disability. In one of the classics in rehabilitation literature, Beatrice Wright (1960) stated, "A shameful fact cannot be accepted as long as it remains shameful". The healthy incorporation of the fact of disability into one's self concept gives the confidence to assert oneself as a self-governing adult (DeLoach & Greer, 1981). The positive acceptance of disabilities by persons with disabilities has traditionally been described as a crucial variable in the rehabilitation process because it enables individuals to accept the realities of their disabilities, reorder their values and priorities and continue productive lives (Dembo, Leviton & Wright, 1975; Wright, 1960). Acceptance of disability is perceived as a realization of the difficulty of disabling conditions, but, at the same time stresses the intrinsic value and ability of individuals (Thorenson & Kerr, 1978). Disability onset is traumatic and stressful and can affect personal adjustments and rehabilitations. Heinmann and Shontz (1984) point out that adaptation is an individual process which may parallel previously established coping styles and be influenced by environmental situations. The positive relationship between disability acceptance and self esteem found by Linkowski and Dunn (1974), Starr and Heiserman, (1977), Heinmann and Shontz (1984) and Patrick (1984) emphasizes the importance and practicality of a rehabilitation focus on disability acceptance. In addition to a focus on acceptance of disability, there has been increased emphasis on the importance of assertiveness in adjustment and rehabilitation. Assertive behavior may be perceived as interpersonal responses involving direct, honest and appropriate verbal and non-verbal expressions of thoughts, feelings and beliefs in ways that do not violate other persons' rights (Lange, & Jakubowski, 1976). Locus of control, self-confidence, personal adjustment, anxiety, appropriate expression of anger, and acceptance of disability appear to be related to assertiveness. Research by Percell, Berwick and Beigel (1974) indicates that as individuals become more assertive, manifest anxiety decreases, while self-confidence (Gay, Hollandsworth & Galassi, 1975), personal adjustment (Galassi & Galassi, 1974), appropriate expression of anger (Doyle & Briggio, 1981), and acceptance of disability (Morgan & Leung, 1980) increase.

Although individual's adjustment processes differ, many people experience to varying degrees feelings of denial, mourning, depression, and anger before reaching acceptance of their disabilities (Dembo et al., 1975). During these periods of adjustment some persons with disabilities may experience losses of self-confidence along with increased anger and anxiety. These problems may result in reactive or passive stances rather than proactive or assertive stances toward their disabilities and rehabilitation and therefore impede the adjustment process (Cull & Hardy, 1972; Siller, 1969). In addition persons with disabilities may need higher levels of assertion to facilitate their successful re-entry into competitive social and working environments. Vocational Rehabilitation clients have often been viewed as lacking social and self-presentation skills necessary for effective social and vocational performance (Craven, 1979; Farley & Hinman, 1987; Rusch & Mithang, 1980; Wright, 1980). The Comprehensive Needs Study of Individuals With The Most Severe Handicaps compiled by the Urban Institute (1975) and cited in Rogers, Thurer and Pelletier (1986) found that many persons with severe handicaps are socially isolated, have poor self-concepts, and have the majority of their social contacts with family members. In addition many of the severely disabled as well as less severely disabled have difficulty interviewing successfully, which is necessary for obtaining jobs and exhibiting the social skills helpful in maintaining jobs (Farley and Hinman, 1987). Gambrill, Florian and Splaver (1986) indicate the need for assertive training programs for those who can benefit, to enhance social skills and focus on specific skills in such areas as job seeking, family interactions, courting and development and maintenance of friendships.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between one's assertive behavior levels and acceptance of disability. The study also investigated differences in the degrees of assertive behavior and acceptance of disability among persons with disabilities based on age, gender, race, educational level, marital status, metropolitan or non-metropolitan residence, type of disability and length of time disabled.