INFLUENCE OF MOBILITY IMPAIRMENT ON FAMILY FUNCTIONING

Introduction: Human disability is considered as a particularly important and significant social problem in the contemporary world. Disability most often results in reorganization of family structure. It is a new challenge faced by family members, to which they must adopt. The way with which a family deals depends on many factors, among other things, financial, living and cultural standards, a value system, relationships between family members.

Aim: The aim of this work was to show influence of a family member’s mobility impairment on its functioning, that is, financial situation, on existing family ties, social functioning.

Study sample and method: A diagnostic survey method was used and original questionnaire form became its tool. The study sample consisted of 60 people, family members who served as a minder of a mobility-disabled person who made use of health care benefits and services in health care institutions in the area of Busko-Zdrój.

Results: The survey analyses carried out, enabled to state that a family member’s mobility impairment influenced changes in family functioning.

Conclusions:

1. A family member’s mobility impairment influenced adversely the family’s financial situation causing an increase in family expenditures mainly on drug treatment, visits to specialists and rehabilitation.

2. A family member’s disability in most cases did not have a considerable influence on the change of family ties. In families in which there were some changes, they had a positive character and enhanced the existing family ties.

3. A family member’s disability influenced its social functioning in a different way. In families, in which the changes happened, had one multiple character: from making new contacts, engaging in religious life to limiting interpersonal contacts.