Neighborhood Perception and Social Connection Among Persons With Disabilities in South Korea: The Moderating Effects of Disability Acceptance.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether a positive perception of one's neighborhood improves social connections among persons with disabilities and this relationship is moderated by disability acceptance.

DESIGN

Individual level longitudinal.

SETTING

Community in South Korea.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 5165 individuals with disabilities.

INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number and frequency of contacts participants maintain with friends and neighbors.

RESULTS

The association between neighborhood perception and the number of friends and neighbors participants keep in contact with is stronger when individuals have higher levels of disability acceptance. Similar results were found for the frequency of informal relationships.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides an understanding of how neighborhood perception is associated with social connections among persons with disability.