Physical disability in old age: A structural study of social representations

Abstract

Objective: To know the structure of the social representations of older people regarding disability in old age. Methods: This is a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study based on the theory of social representations. Participants was twenty-two elderly people aged 60 or older, of both sexes, who have some physical disability acquired in adulthood, registered in a center specializing in physical rehabilitation and hearing in Vitória da Conquista/BA. The instruments were a socio-biodemographic questionnaire and the free association of words test. Results: 110 free evocations, processed by EVOC software generating a four houses frame. The structure of social representation revealed that the acquisition of physical disability can produce dependence and sadness, but it must be faced and overcome. Conclusion: Knowing these representations is important to develop strategies to improve the quality of life and decrease the stigma of this population.