Disability community and mental health among college students with physical disabilities

College students with physical disabilities are often at a higher risk for mental health problems. In addition, some universities have created disability community spaces, but it is not known whether these spaces are associated with social support or increased mental health and well-being among students who use them. This study investigated differences in feelings of perceived social support, depressive symptomatology, and well-being between students with physical disabilities who live in general student housing and students with physical disabilities who live in a disability community. Research Methods/Design: A mixed-methods online survey was used to collect data from students with physical disabilities who lived in a disability community and from those who did not. Of the participants, 27 college students self-identified as having a physical disability (n = 27), 11 participants lived in the disability community (n = 11), and 16 did not (n = 16).

The quantitative results indicated statistically significant differences between the two groups on all three measures. The open-ended responses revealed that those who lived in the disability community setting felt more connected to other students with physical disabilities. However, the results also showed that many students with physical disabilities felt socially disconnected for a myriad of reasons.

These findings suggest that living in a disability community may be associated with feeling socially supported and improved mental health outcomes among college students with physical disabilities. Universities and other stakeholders should consider implementing programs to foster disability community among students with physical disabilities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).