Abstract

DE BEER, Annemarike; NAUDE, Luzelle  and  NEL, Lindi. From disabled to differently abled: A psychofortological perspective on first-year students living with disability. Indo-Pac. j. phenomenol. (Online) [online]. 2023, vol.23, n.1, pp.1-12. ISSN 1445-7377.  https://doi.org/10.1080/20797222.2023.2222938.

The aim of this study was to conduct an interpretative phenomenological analysis exploring the experiences of differently abled first-year students from a psychofortological perspective. Ryff's psychological well-being model was used as a theoretical underpinning. Through the course of an academic year, three male participants completed semi-structured interviews and reflective writing exercises. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. A cross-case analysis yielded themes related to participants' dynamic processes of finding purpose, direction and independence, as well as belonging, positive relations, self-acceptance and mastery. Collectively, the findings demonstrated how the participants moved from viewing themselves as disabled to differently abled, and that, despite numerous challenges, psychological well-being can be facilitated through the first-year higher education experience.

Keywords : living with disability; first-year experience; psychological well-being.

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