Exploring perspectives of individuals with disabilities on stress-coping

The present paper contains a discussion of five key themes from a qualitative study in which we explored stress-coping among women and men with disabilities: (a) socializing/social support, (b) cultivating and using positive affirmations, (c) reconnecting spirituality, (d) diverting one's focus, and (e) rejuvenating through leisure/exercise, as well as one gender-based pattern related to stress-coping: seeking emotionally satisfying outcomes versus conscious avoidance. These themes concern social, psychological, spiritual, cultural, or behavioural aspects of coping resources or strategies. Empowerment was employed as a conceptual framework and means for analytically synthesizing our interpretation of the data. Drawn from this aspect of the research, a working model that links stress-coping with empowerment is proposed. Potential practical implications and applications of the study results and suggestions for future research are addressed in the paper as well.