Representaciones legales de la discapacidadel caso de la parálisis cerebral

Abstract

Disability is a multidimensional reality, which is currently no longer considered static or centred on the individual. The current idea of disability underlines the importance of support, in order to reduce the impact of functional limitations on the person�s life. At this point, beliefs about disability determine the way these people are treated, and influence the design and application of social, economic and educational policies. This study focuses on mental representations held by a sample of the general public of people with cerebral palsy, in terms of both the disorder itself, and the image of the sufferer in their personal, social and working life. We have also extracted some personal characteristics from the sample (personality traits; values; tendency towards hostility and malevolence; life satisfaction; and tendency towards optimism) in order to relate them to beliefs manifested about cerebral palsy. Other aspects that have been taken into account are: age, civil status, and the following variables; having worked as a professional with disabled people, having some sort of relationship with disabled people. A sample of 450 people were asked to complete two questionnaires ad hoc; the Descriptive Questionnaire for Cerebral Palsy (DQCP) (Revuelta, 2015), and the Expectations of Cerebral Palsy Questionnaire (ECPQ) (Revuelta, 2015), which cover the beliefs about the disorder itself, and the capabilities attributed to sufferers respectively. Using these questionnaires the Behavioural Norm and Capability Beliefs Scale (BNCBS) was designed. In order to extract personal characteristics of the people in the sample the following tools were used: the shortened version of the Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-RA), translation in Spanish by Ibanez, Ortet, Moro, Âvila and Parcet (1999); the VAL-89 Scale by Schwartz and Bilsky (1987), reworked edition by Molpeceres (1991); the Hostility and Malevolence Questionnaire (HOSTYMAL) developed by Pelechano (2000); the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), by Diener, Emmons, Larsen and Griffin (1985) (translation by Revuelta, 2005); and the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), by Scheier, Carver and Bridges (1994), translation by Revuelta (2005). The results indicate a substantial lack of knowledge of the disorder, and numerous erroneous beliefs. In general, the predominant vision is negative, both of the disorder itself, with a tendency to believe that it causes a gradual decline, and of the personal, social and working profile of sufferers. The questions that provoked most differences in opinion were those relative to intelligence, and the best way of schooling children with cerebral palsy, which included opinions both in favour and against specialised centres. The capacity for married life or living life as a couple and rearing children is rated negatively. In working life, people with cerebral palsy are perceived as being less productive, being considered competent at simple tasks only. People who have worked in the field of disability have a greater knowledge of the scientific aspects of the disorder, they view mainstream schooling of children more positively, and they believe that symptoms can improve. Conversely, there are a greater number of stereotypes among people who have never worked in this field and they have a negative view of mainly emotional aspects of cerebral palsy sufferers. We can conclude that cerebral palsy is a disorder with a low social profile and carries with it a iarge number of myths, which may influence in the opportunities for development that are offered to sufferers.