Semester
Summer
Date of Graduation
2004
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
College
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Communication Studies
Committee Chair
Melanie Booth-Butterfield.
Committee Co-Chair
Matthew Martin
Committee Member
Scott Myers
Abstract
Interpersonal relationships are affected when one relational partner acquires a disability. The acquisition of the disability is considered a turning point and the interest of this study is what occurs after the turning point. In particular, this study investigated the satisfaction, emotional support and solidarity of those who have acquired a disability in their life and one of their able-bodied relational partners. The stages of adjustment to a disability were also quantitatively analyzed. Both the participants who acquired a disability and their relational partners completed self-report measures. Difficulties in obtaining participants led to descriptive results. Challenges to a small participant population and suggestions for those who desire to complete research similar to this in the future are included in the discussion section.
Recommended Citation
Dunleavy, Katie Neary, "Application of turning point theory to communication following an acquired disability" (2004). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 863.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/863