Quality of life of people with disabilities: Differences in satisfaction with indicators and domains between active and inactive individuals

Quality of life (QoL) is strongly influenced by an individual’s health. The lack of population studies measuring the QoL of people with physical disabilities (PD) and people who are deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) encouraged us to consider conducting this research. The aim of this study was to compare the satisfaction with quality of life indicators (QoLI) and domains (QoLD) between people with PD and people who are D/HH. This study included 315 individuals with disabilities, concretely with PD and hearing impairments. Participants were divided into two groups based on participation in physical activities: active (people with PD, n=73; people who are D/HH, n=52) and inactive (people with PD, n=77; people who are D/HH, n=113). The second part of Subjective Quality of Life Analysis (S.QUA.L.A.) between active and inactive members with disabilities was used. The Pearson chi-square test was used to determine the differences in satisfaction with 23 QoLI and 5 QoLD (general health, physical health and level of independence, psychological health and spirituality, social relationships and environment) between the two groups (active and inactive) within each population with disabilities. We found significant differences between active and inactive people with PD only in 3 from 23 QoLI and only in one from 5 QoLD. On the other hand active people who are D/HH presented significant higher satisfaction with 11 QoLI and with 4 QoLD as well as significant higher level of overall QoL (p<.05) comparing inactive individuals with the same disability. This evaluation of the satisfaction with QoLI and QoLD by S.QUA.L.A. shows that it is a suitable tool to asses QoL in the population with different kinds of disabilities. The results of our study confirmed that regular participation in sport increases QoL, especially in people who are D/HH.