From disabled to differently abled: A psychofortological perspective on first-year students living with disability

Abstract

The aim of this study was to conduct an interpretative phenomenological analysis exploring the experiences of differently abled first-year  students from a psychofortological perspective. Ryff’s psychological well-being model was used as a theoretical underpinning.  Through the course of an academic year, three male participants completed semi-structured interviews and reflective writing exercises.  Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. A cross-case analysis yielded themes related to participants’  dynamic processes of finding purpose, direction and independence, as well as belonging, positive relations, self-acceptance and mastery.  Collectively, the findings demonstrated how the participants moved from viewing themselves as disabled to differently abled, and that,  despite numerous challenges, psychological well-being can be facilitated through the first-year higher education experience