[An evaluation of interpersonal dependency in physically handicapped children].

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Psychology
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Social relations are a critical factor in understanding the challenges faced by handicapped individuals.
• Emotional support and affective connections significantly impact the well-being of people with disabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of social relations and emotional factors in the lives of handicapped persons.
• To assess the prevalence of normal affective relations and self-thrust among individuals with disabilities.
• To explore the relationship between the degree of motor handicap and the expression of autonomy.

Main Methods:

• The study assessed social relations, emotional thrust, self-thrust, and autonomy in a cohort of handicapped individuals.
• Data was collected on the subjects' affective relations and their choice of social models.
• The degree of motor handicap was correlated with self-perceived dependence.

Main Results:

• Only 25.1% of subjects reported normal affective relations, highlighting widespread emotional challenges.
• A significant majority (70.1%) exhibited a lack of self-thrust and relied on models from within their immediate community.
• Autonomy expression varied with motor handicap severity; 36.1% felt dependent, with some experiencing only physical limitations.

Conclusions:

• Impaired social relations and emotional difficulties are prevalent among handicapped individuals.
• Lack of self-initiative and reliance on insular social structures are common.
• While physical dependence is a factor, psychological and social dependence also significantly impact autonomy in handicapped populations.