Experienced and Anticipated Discrimination in Persons with Physical Disabilities in Serbia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore extensity (regarding various life domains in which it appears) and intensity of experienced and anticipated discrimination of persons with physical disabilities; (2) to investigate how experienced and anticipated discrimination relate to each other; (3) to explore relations between experienced and anticipated discrimination and certain socio demographic variables (gender, marriage, residence, family type, employment and age). The levels of experienced and anticipated stigmatization were evaluated by Discrimination and Stigma Scale (DISC -12). The results showed that persons with physical disability experience discrimination in family life (63. 3%), (starting a family (65. 5%), marriage (45. 4%), role as a parent (45. 3%), in the experience of being avoided or shunned (42. 1%), in relation to professional staff (40. 3%), etc. They anticipate discrimination in making close relationships (46. 3%), in employment (30. 2%) and in education (24. 3%). Multiple regression analysis showed that experienced discrimination is a predictor of anticipated discrimination. Discrimination is more anticipated by unmarried participants, younger, participants living in extended families and by participants not living in their own apartments. It is necessary to design an anti-stigma campaign, which will lead to the reduction of experienced and anticipated discrimination.

People with physical disability in Serbia: Relationship between internalized stigma, experienced and anticipated discrimination, and empowerment

“…Answers on the revised DISC 12 were scaled from 0 to 3. Based on our previous study (Milačić‐Vidojević et al ., ), we decided to use two types of scores: ‐ Discrimination extensity measures the spread of discrimination across various domains of life, regardless of its intensity. This score was calculated by counting the number of items for which the participant scored 1 (a little), 2 (moderately) or 3 (a lot) in each subscale.…”

“…The first canonical function showed that with increased experienced and anticipated discrimination in everyday life and decreased strategies for overcoming stigma, we can expect to see greater social withdrawal and larger stereotype endorsement amongst people with physical disabilities. In our previous study, which employed the same participants as the present one, it has been shown that discrimination was experienced in all life domains (Milačić‐Vidojević et al ., ), suggesting that due to unpleasant experiences in everyday life persons with physical disabilities endorsed social stereotypes and consequentially withdrew from social life experiences. Rüsch, Lieb, Bohus and Corrigan () found that anticipated discrimination and internalized stigma were closely related, triggered by a previous stigma and discrimination experiences.…”

“…People with physical disabilities face discrimination and stigmatization in different realms of life such as employment, socialization, education, and personal relationships (Bedini, ; Buljevac, Majdak & Leutar, ; Milačić‐Vidojević, Tošković, Dragojević & Čolić, ). It is a discouraging finding that in Serbia and Croatia they experienced stigmatization in all spheres of social and private life (Buljevac et al ., ; Milačić‐Vidojević et al ., ) Daily exposure to negative public attitudes can aggravate their quality of life (Miller & Major, ).…”

Experiences of persons with lower limb amputation after prosthetic rehabilitation in Ghana: A qualitative inquiry

“…Instead, it was realized that they also contribute to discrimination that persons with disabilities experience in family life. 27 The study showed that some participants felt neglected by their families and friends because they were afraid to be associated with them in public gatherings. This has a connection with the superstitious Ghanaian culture which associate negative comments with not only persons with LLA but also to their relatives.…”