Article

Despite the apparent importance of International Classification of
Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework in influencing the
relationships between participation and quality of life (QoL), limited research
has been given to comprehensive modelling of their influence.
The purpose of this
study was to explore the relationships between ICF components, participation
factors and QoL among young adults with disabilities. METHODS: This study tested
a theoretically and empirically based explanatory model on 119 young adults with
disabilities to examine how the variables of functional impact, financial
behaviour, self-efficacy, neighbourhood environment, social support, social and
community participation, satisfaction with participation influenced QoL. Analyses
were performed with AMOS maximum likelihood parameter estimation. RESULTS: The
final model accepted in this study showed a well-fitted model, which explained
65% of the variance in QoL. Results from the statistical modelling indicated that
all the ICF components and satisfaction with participation influenced the level
of QoL in young adults with disabilities in either a direct or indirect manner.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide evidence that young adults with disabilities
have a very complex interaction of their activity participation, social
membership, community connectedness, life satisfaction, suggesting that their
context of QoL is shaped by how they make sense not only with their functional
status, but also the social and community environment. Current findings further
demonstrate that the ICF model of functioning and disability should be thought of
as multidimensional and more than instrumental in character when being used by
health and rehabilitation professionals. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: This
study supports the ICF model to include the concept of QoL as the outcome.
Rehabilitation practitioners are encouraged to view the ICF model as
multidimensional when designing interventions. Social context and support should
be included when developing strategies to enhance QoL in youth transition to
adulthood.

Langue : ANGLAIS