Disability Acceptance and Affirmation Among U.S. Adults With Learning Disabilities and ADHD

• Published in: Journal of learning disabilities Vol. 57; no. 2; pp. 79 - 90
• Main Authors: Zapata, Mercedes A., Worrell, Frank C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.03.2024; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Acceptance; Adults; Affirmation; Anxiety; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Attitudes; Comorbidity; Factor analysis; Identity; Learning disabilities; Life satisfaction; People with disabilities; Physical disabilities; Psychosocial factors; Psychosocial functioning; Self concept; Self-efficacy; ADHD; learning disability; general self-efficacy; anxiety and depression; life satisfaction; disability identity
• ISSN: 0022-2194; 1538-4780
• DOI: 10.1177/00222194231186665

Personal disability identity is a predictor of psychosocial functioning among adults with predominantly physical disabilities. In the present study, we examined personal disability identity in adults with learning disabilities (LD) and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In samples of 541 adults with LD, 475 with ADHD, and 433 with comorbid LD and ADHD, we examined the structural validity of disability acceptance and disability affirmation scores and the association between these scores and anxiety/depression, life satisfaction, and general self-efficacy. Factor analyses supported a 4-item disability acceptance and 3-item disability affirmation scale in LD-only and ADHD-only samples. Among adults with LD or ADHD, disability affirmation was a meaningful predictor of life satisfaction, and disability acceptance predicted general self-efficacy. Disability identity attitudes are worthy of clinical and scholarly attention in adults with LD and ADHD, and adults with comorbid LD and ADHD may warrant special consideration in the personal disability identity literature.