Abstract

MOLERO, FERNANDO et al. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERCEIVED DISCRIMINATION AND AFFECTIVE BALANCE ON PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MASTERY. Act.Colom.Psicol. [online]. 2013, vol.16, n.1, pp.35-42. ISSN 0123-9155.

There is a large body of research showing that perceived discrimination has a negative effect on physical and mental health of persons belonging to different stigmatized groups. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between perceived discrimination and affective balance in people with physical disabilities. In addition, the mediating role of a special relevant variable -the environmental mastery (Ryff, 1989a) - is analyzed in relation to people with physical disabilities as a protective factor against negative discrimination. Participants in the study were 52 people with physical disabilities. Results showed that the negative relationship between perceived discrimination and affective balance is significantly reduced by introducing environmental mastery into the equation. It was also found that the age of the participants shows a positive association both with affective balance and environmental mastery. This research shows that to the extent that people with physical disabilities feel able to choose or create favorable environments, the negative effects of stigma are reduced.

Keywords : people with physical disability; stigma; perceived discrimination; well-being; affective balance; environmental mastery.

        · abstract in Spanish | Portuguese     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )