Introduction: Social participation is a critical aspect of daily life, yet individuals with disabilities often encounter unique facilitators and barriers that influence their engagement. Despite the significance of this topic, no existing self-report measures specifically assess social participation among young adults with disabilities (YAWDs). Understanding these factors is essential for developing targeted interventions and assessment tools.
Objectives: This study aimed to establish a conceptual foundation for creating a self-report measure of social participation for YAWDs by examining their experiences with facilitators and barriers.
Methods: A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed in two phases: (1) a Qualtrics screening survey to collect demographic data and confirm eligibility and (2) in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom with young adults with and without disabilities. Interviews were transcribed, reviewed for accuracy, and analyzed using content and thematic analysis to identify overarching themes and patterns.
Results: Seven key themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: socializing with others, social activities, challenging social activities, social changes with age, successful social experiences, challenging social experiences, and influencing factors. While many facilitators and barriers were shared across both groups, distinct patterns emerged among YAWDs, including the role of support systems, physical environment, self-perception, accessibility, and a sense of belonging.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for a validated self-report measure to assess social participation in YAWDs. This study's results provide critical insights that can inform the development of such an instrument, ultimately supporting interventions that enhance social inclusion for this population.