Coping, social support, and adjustment of people with a motor disability to the built environment

Abstract

Background: This study aims to explore the environmental barriers experienced by people with motor disabilities in Romania. The roles of physical limitations, coping strategies and perceived social support are investigated in relation to the perception of and adjustment to the built environment. Methods: Data is collected through self-report questionnaires completed by 100 participants with motor disability. Hierarchical regression will be used to test the hypothesis: coping style and perceived social support are strongly related to adjustment to the built environment, even when controlling for severity of disability. Expected results: Difficulties due to inaccessible building design will be the most frequently reported environmental barriers. High perceived social support, together with problem-focused and social oriented coping will be associated with a better adjustment to the built environment, even when physical limitations are severe. Discussion: The built environment cannot always be subjected to immediate transformation by the individual, but it may be perceived and navigated differently as a function of certain psychosocial factors. Taking this into consideration may help identify important resources that promote adjustment to disability, even in problematic environments.