Exploring Conceptualizations of Disability Using Story-Completion Methods

Nicole Giouridis, Toni Louise Williams, Julia McKenna and Jennifer Rose Tomasone ()
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Nicole Giouridis: School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University, 28 Division Street, Kingston, ON K7L3N6, Canada
Toni Louise Williams: Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Durham University, Green Lane, Durham DH1 3LA, UK
Julia McKenna: School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University, 28 Division Street, Kingston, ON K7L3N6, Canada
Jennifer Rose Tomasone: School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University, 28 Division Street, Kingston, ON K7L3N6, Canada

Disabilities, 2024, vol. 4, issue 3, 1-15

Abstract: This study explored conceptualizations of disability pertaining to peer relationships versus romantic relationships, as well as type of physical disability, using story-completion methods. Seventy-four graduate and undergraduate students from a Canadian university completed one of two versions of a story stem featuring an individual with a physical disability who was either a classmate or a potential romantic partner. Through the process of thematic analysis, three themes were generated as patterns across stories: (1) assumptions about disability present from first glance; (2) uncertainty in navigating negative assumptions of disability; and (3) from discomfort to acceptance of disability through social connection. Storylines differed depending on the type of relationship (i.e., peer or romantic) in both story length and outcome of the relationship. Findings suggest the usefulness of the relatively infrequently used method of story completion for assessing students’ narratives and discussion of meanings surrounding differing relationships with persons with a disability. This study further develops our understanding of cultural norms of disability, as well as highlights the importance of disability knowledge and interaction between persons with and without a disability, to foster positive change in representations and perceptions of disability.

Keywords: physical disability; thematic analysis; contextualist; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jdisab:v:4:y:2024:i:3:p:36-582:d:1457208

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