Influence of Physical Disability on Self-Esteem among Adolescents in Kiambu County, Kenya

Worldwide children and adults with disabilities are prone to having fewer friends, are neglected and experience more loneliness than those without disabilities as it affects their self-esteem. This study aimed at establishing how physical disability affects self-esteem among adolescents. The study was based on the Social Learning Theory by Julian Rotter. The study objectives were to identify terms used to describe the disabled by the society and how they affect their self-esteem, find out the level of self-esteem of adolescents with physical disabilities and establish how adolescents with physical disabilities perceive themselves. Identify appropriate coping skills for the disabled to maintain their self esteem.   The study used an expost facto design since no manipulation of the variables was done. Simple random sampling techniques were used to establish the validity and reliability of the tools. The sample size comprised of 30 parents and 30 adolescents with physical disabilities. The target population was 300 adolescents with physical disabilities and a hundred parents of the disabled adolescents. The dependent variable was self esteem, while the independent variable was physical disability and the intervening variables were family background, stigma in society, social support. The study used questionnaires, interviews and focused group discussions as data collection instruments. Data analysis involved use of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics enabling the researcher to meaningfully describe distribution of cause using statistics and indices in measuring the results. Rosenberg scale was used to determine the level of self-esteem. The study findings were that lack of enough coping skills and use of demeaning terms affect the self-esteem of the adolescents. The study recommends addition of coping skills like a tool which the deaf can raise to show that a person is totally deaf to avoid motor accidents when crossing roads. The results of this research would benefit all people with different types of disabilities and the society as a whole. The Ministry of Education would use the findings to develop policies that aim at improving the quality of life of the disabled by providing them with equal opportunities. The study recommends that special needs education should be infused in the curriculum, and that learning institutions must develop mechanisms of creating a condusive environment. The learning institutions should also provide facilities that woud equally suit the disabled. In a nutshell, the disabled need recognition and acceptance in the society.