Type of Document	Dissertation
Author	Brown, Robyn Lewis
Author's Email Address	rklewis@fsu.edu
URN	etd-04122010-110743
Title	Physical Disability and Quality of Life: The Stress Process and Experience of Stigma in a Chronically-Strained Population
Degree	Doctor of Philosophy
Department	Sociology, Department of
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title R. Jay Turner Committee Chair Verna Keith Committee Member John Taylor University Representative Thomas Joiner University Representative
Keywords	Psychosocial Resources Stress Exposure Stigma Quality of Life Physical Disability
Date of Defense	2010-04-02
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract Although stigma theories suggest that multiple processes underlie variation in perceived stigma among people with physical disabilities, these processes are not clearly delineated in prior research. It is also unclear whether perceived stigma bears an independent effect on psychological well-being once the influence of other forms of stress exposure and the availability of coping resources is accounted for. In two empirical studies, this dissertation addresses these issues, using data from two waves of a large community study including a representative sample of persons with physical disabilities. Results of the first study (Chapter 2) demonstrate that functional limitation, stress exposure and the availability of social and personal coping resources have direct and indirect effects on variation in perceived stigma. The findings of the second study (Chapter 3) indicate that perceived stigma independently predicts changes in depressive symptoms among people with physical disabilities, net of stress exposure and coping responses. This study also reveals that perceived stigma and chronic strains account for a substantial portion of the association between functional limitation and depressive symptoms. Implications of these findings for stigma and stress process research are discussed.
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