Lived experiences of disability among Swedish persons with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease with a wide variety of impacts on individuals. Research on living conditions for persons with MS has mainly focused on medical, or medical-related, aspects of the disease. The aim of this study was to explore and analyze experiences of disability among pe...
Salvato in:
| Pubblicato in: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/alterjdr, |
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| Autore principale: | |
| Natura: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Lingua: | Anglais |
| Pubblicazione: |
Alter
2026
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| Soggetti: | |
| Accesso online: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Riassunto: | Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease with a wide variety of impacts on individuals. Research on living conditions for persons with MS has mainly focused on medical, or medical-related, aspects of the disease. The aim of this study was to explore and analyze experiences of disability among persons with MS in Sweden. The study sample consisted of 23 persons with MS who participated in individual interviews and were free to define disability (Swedish: funktionshinder) based on their own experiences. Participants shared accounts that involved both their disease symptoms, interaction with non-disabled people, and various structural aspects. A critical realist understanding of disability encompasses these aspects and was therefore chosen as the framework for the analysis. The concepts of impairment effects, psycho-emotional disablism, and disablism were used to supplement the analysis and provide a deeper understanding of participants’ experiences. Reference groups were included in the initial part of the analysis process and confirmed that the analysis that had been initiated was understandable and reasonable. The study demonstrates that disability is not a static condition but a fluid one, which in many instances can be counteracted by social measures. Several implications for practice are suggested based on the results. |
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