Do disabled adolescents view themselves differently from other young people?

Abstract

Viewing physical disability as a stigma, quite a few articles have over the years dealt with issues relating to the self-concept of adolescents with physical disabilities. Using the political guidelines stressing social integration and participation for people with disabilities as a starting point this article focuses on how indicators of social integration can explain variation in the self-concept among adolescents aged 13–20. The analysis shows that there are small differences in self-concept between disabled and non-disabled adolescents. The analysis reveals however that parental behaviour is of significant greater importance for the self-concept of disabled than for non-disabled adolescents. Towards the end of the article the provoking question is asked if parents may serve as “gatekeepers” for social participation for adolescents with disabilities thus contributing to continuing segregation and stigmatisation.