Physical Stigma and its Relationship to Psychological Immunity among People with Disabilities

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Published: 2025-08-18
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/
Keywords:
physical stigma, psychological resilience, individuals with physical disabilities

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Prof. Dr. Wejdan Abdul Amir Thabit
Al-Mustansiriya University, College of Basic Education, Department of Special Education
Prof. Dr. Alaa Abdul Hassan Habib
Al-Mustansiriya University, College of Basic Education, Department of Special Education
Dr. Ashwaq Sabr Nasser
Al-Mustansiriya University, College of Basic Education, Department of Special Education
M. Shahla Saadi Salah
Al-Mustansiriya University, College of Basic Education, Department of Special Education

Abstract

The current research aims to:



  1. Identify physical stigma among people with physical disabilities.

  2. Identify the significance of differences in physical stigma according to gender (males - females).

  3. Identify psychological immunity among people with physical disabilities.

  4. Identify the significance of differences in psychological resilience according to the gender variable (males - females).

  5. Identify the nature of the relationship between physical stigma and psychological resilience.


The current research sample was limited to (157) male and female students with physical disabilities. The researchers prepared a tool to measure physical stigma, with (28) items in its final form, and another tool to measure psychological resilience, with (30) items. Psychometric characteristics of validity and reliability were extracted for these tools. After applying the tools, the results showed the following:



  1. The results showed that individuals with physical disabilities suffer from a high level of physical stigma compared to the expected level.

  2. The results indicated no significant difference in physical stigma according to gender, as the average for males was close to the average for females.

  3. The results showed that the level of psychological resilience among individuals with physical disabilities falls within the expected level, with no significant differences.

  4. The results showed a statistically significant difference in favor of males. This indicates that males enjoy higher levels of psychological resilience than females.

  5. The results showed a strong and statistically significant correlation between physical stigma and psychological resilience. This indicates that high levels of physical stigma are clearly associated with the level of psychological resilience among individuals with physical disabilities.

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 8 (2025): Excellencia: International Multi-disciplinary Journal of Education (2994-9521)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Thabit, W. A. A. ., Habib, A. A. H. ., Nasser, A. S. ., & Salah, M. S. S. . (2025). Physical Stigma and its Relationship to Psychological Immunity among People with Disabilities. Excellencia: International Multi-Disciplinary Journal of Education (2994-9521), 3(8), 8-29. https://doi.org/10.5281/

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