Exploring Quality of Life Among People with Disabilities in Malaysia

Abstract

This research focused on understanding what quality of life means for people with disabilities in Malaysia, emphasizing physical functioning, psychological well-being, social relationships, and experiences of stigmatization. Through a qualitative research design, six Malaysian adults who were living with a disability and residing in Klang Valley were involved in the research purposefully. The data were collected through virtual, semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The participants' quality of life was affected by a combination of health-related limitations and social-emotional challenges. While some participants mentioned they had no concerns about their general health, they were bothered by chronic illnesses, disability-related complications, and mobility restrictions that seriously affected their sense of well-being, independence, and function in performing day-to-day activities. Stress, anxiety, loneliness, depression, and not knowing where they stand with employment and relationships were other occurrences. The social aspect was another challenge, with barriers of communication, exclusion, lack of mutual understanding by others, and loss of confidence in social settings greatly affecting the friends and relationship circles of the participants. Stigmatization also proved to be a significant issue as participants discovered that they were misunderstood, underestimated, overprotected, and treated unfairly. Nevertheless, most of the participants were so full of tenacious spirit and determination in overcoming the challenges facing them in their quest to live beyond the limits that life sets forth for them. Above all, research goes on to make us realize that life quality is decided for people with disabilities by factors well beyond their physical health, and it has been defended by their psychological and social experiences.