Quality of life in people with physical disabilities

The aim of this study was to examine the possible differences in self-reported quality of life of people with physical disabilities with regard to both socio-demographic and disability-related characteristics. Testing was conducted on 153 respondents with physical disabilities, residents of the City of Zagreb. Positive correlations were found between the quality of life and income satisfaction, residence size (per capita floor area) and level of residence equipment. Multivariate analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences in quality of life among respondents with regard to the marital status, work status and home ownership. Statistically significant differences in the quality of life were found among the participants depending on their level of physical mobility and type of physical disability. The level of physical mobility is associated with general satisfaction with the accomplishment of goals, aspirations and hopes. The type of physical disability is related to the satisfaction with leisure activities, with the material status, expectations to achieve in the future what has not formerly been achieved. There was also a significant relation between the type of physical disability and general satisfaction with life in the past year. Positive correlations between duration of disability and quality of life were found. Membership in associations of persons with physical disability and related benefits were shown to contribute to the quality of life.