Comparative Analysis of Perceived Barriers for Occupations Associated with

Dating for People with Physical Disabilities and Able-Bodied Young Adults
Mikaela Furst, Kliricia Loc, Taylor Parks, & Shelby Sarnowski
Contributions By: Dr. Jennifer Summers, Dr. Susan Cleghorn & Dr. Kathryn Barnhart
Living Life to Its Fullest!
Grand Valley State University Grand Rapids, Michigan

BACKGROUND RESULTS & DISCUSSION

PERSON-ENVIRONMENT-OCCUPATION
The experience of a fulfilling, Participants: Disabilities included:
intimate relationship is a main MODEL ● 3 individuals with a disability ● Hearing impairment
predictor of happiness and ● 5 individuals without a ● Visual impairment
well-being (Diener & Seligman, disability ● Thrombocytopenia with absent
radius (TAR) Syndrome
2002).
● Cerebral Palsy
• Occupational Therapists (OTs) work with individuals of all ages and functional
abilities to participate in given tasks through therapeutic daily activities, or
4 Main Themes
occupations (AOTA, 2017). Environment: Person Factors: Body image and self-esteem
• It is thought that in order to achieve a sense of commitment, one must first go Person: ● Body Image: Both individuals with and without disabilities used positive characteristics
through the assumed stages of friendship, attraction, and connection that D -Social when describing physical appearance, revealing that body image is not a limiting factor
accompany the dating process.
-Body Image A
during the data process.
• The definition of dating may be different for each person based on his or her
T
Stigma “I think I’m quite a dish. I think I’ve always been really skinny and I’ve always
appreciated that I think, and I think I’ve got really beautiful eyes and really great lips.”
experiences and expectations.
-Self Esteem (Female participant, physical and sensory disability)
• The Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) model is a theoretical framework I -Dating ● Self-Esteem: Data suggest both groups experience self-consciousness and low
used in occupational therapy to help identify the factors that influence
-Expectations N self-esteem during the dating process.
occupations and make them unique to each individual.
• The interdependent relationship between the personal, environmental, and G
Education “For me, physical disability seems hard. I try to exert confidence but don’t always
occupational factors can directly impact occupational performance and assist have it.” (Female, physical disability)
OTs in identifying barriers and facilitators when participating in the dating -Online or “I would say [my self-confidence] is probably a little bit lower just because everyone
process. feels more shy and just kinda like self-conscious when getting to know other people
in-person and whatever.” (Female, no identified disability)
Environmental Factors: Physical and social environment
RESEARCH QUESTION ● Physical Environment: Data revealed individuals without a disability frequently report no
barriers to the dating process, except lack of money. Individuals with a disability reported
barriers such as physical boundaries and limitations in the community.
What are the personal factors and environmental METHODS “One big thing is places that are loud. I have a harder time because I can’t really hear
factors that facilitate and/or hinder dating-related what the person is saying and I feel more anxious about it.” (Female, sensory
disability)
occupations for people with disabilities, compared to ● Social Environment: Notable differences. Individuals with disabilities mentioned social
able-bodied individuals? Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria: stigmatization and negative attitudes from others when on a date.
“I wonder if others are perceiving that ‘oh that guy is so lovely to go on a date with
● Physical or sensory disability or able-bodied individual
that disabled woman.’ Like see it as a charity case or a pitying thing because, so
● Single, not married (dating relationship is permitted) often you know, we don’t see people with disabilities out dating.” (Female, physical
SIGNIFICANCE TO OT ● Has been on a date within the last year and sensory disability)
● Young adults ages 20-29
• The American Occupational Therapy Association (2013) refers to sexual PURPOSE AND IMPLICATION
function as an activity of daily living that is a component of a holistic
treatment approach. Overview • Dating is an occupation that should be considered in the occupational therapy
• In order to properly address this area, an OT must first understand a ● Preliminary qualitative research process to follow a holistic approach to treatment.
critical occupation that often precedes acts of sexual expression: dating. ● One-to-one interviews with a series of open ended questions about • This research will allow occupational therapists to broaden the occupation of
• The dating process is thought to be influenced by the interaction of each dating experiences to explore personal factors, environmental dating and sexual function by providing a holistic insight on the variety of
individual’s personal and environmental factors, and may further be
impacted by one’s functional ability level.
factors, and occupational factors factors that are involved with the occupation of dating.
• A thorough understanding of the components of the dating process may
● Identifying the similarities and differences of dating experiences for • The researchers hope this study helps to end the stigma associated with
allow therapists to develop intervention plans that are client-centered and those with and without disabilities dating, sexuality, and disabilities.
occupation driven.