Quality of life of persons with physical and sensory impairments in Serbia

Abstract

Quality of life, as an important component of psychological welfare, has a special importance for persons with disabilities. The aim of the study was to find sociodemographic variables that are influential in this construct and to establish differences between persons with different types of disabilities. The sample (N=929) consisted of persons with physical (N=351), hearing (N=337) or visual (N=241) disabilities from five cities in Serbia. The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) scale was administrated. Gender, marital status, age, education, incomes, job, and where and with whom participant lives, proved to be important factors for the quality of life of persons with disabilities. Better ratings of quality of life were expressed in younger and more educated persons with disabilities, in those who were married and unmarried compared to divorced and widows, in the employed and students compared to the unemployed and retired, in those living with parents, with a spouse or with a spouse and children compared to persons living just with children. Participants with physical disabilities attained significantly poorer scores on all factors of the WHOQOL scale compared to participants with hearing and visual disabilities. The results of the study suggest that persons with physical disabilities experience lower satisfaction in all domains of quality of life compared to persons with sensory disabilities; and that a socio-demographic status is important in sustaining their quality of life. In developing intervening programs for persons with disabilities, socio-demographic variables influencing the quality of life of these persons must be considered. Holistic care for these people should focus on social support.