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ERIC Number: EJ836195
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004-Jun
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-2322
EISSN: N/A
Changing Selves: A Grounded Theory Account of Belonging to a Self-Advocacy Group for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Beart, Suzie; Hardy, Gillian; Buchan, Linda
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, v17 n2 p91-100 Jun 2004
Purpose: To explore the experience of belonging to a self-advocacy group for people with intellectual disabilities, and how membership of such a group impacts on individual members. Methods: Eight people with intellectual disabilities, who belonged to a self-advocacy group for at least 6 months, were interviewed about their experiences of membership. A grounded theory approach was used to generate and analyse the interview data. Results: A model of the impact of belonging to a self-advocacy group for people with intellectual disabilities on individual members' self-concept is developed. The model proposes that participants' self-concept changes as a result of group membership and that this process of change involves six key categories: joining the group; learning about and doing self-advocacy; becoming aware of group aims and identity; experiencing a positive social environment; identifying positive change in self-concept and seeing the future of self and group as interlinked. Conclusion: Membership of a self-advocacy group for people with intellectual disabilities changes the self-concept of participants. The processes surrounding these changes have important implications for self-advocacy groups both, in recruitment and in supporting group members.
Blackwell Publishing. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8599; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: customerservices@blackwellpublishing.com; Web site: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/jnl_default.asp
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A