Psychospiritual aspects of sense of self in women with physical disabilities

This paper reviews findings on sense of self and spirituality that have eme rged in several of the studies conducted by the Center for Research on Wome n with Disabilities. It presents a review of literature on self-esteem, sel f in connection to others, and self-efficacy, and describes findings from t wo qualitative and one quantitative study of these constructs in women with disabilities. Discussion leads to the hypothesis that the sense of self in connection to others is a fundamental determinant of self-esteem, and that self-efficacy, when perceived as a power drawn from a divine source, is an important mechanism used to transcend the challenges to both that often ac company disability.