Abstract

SURIA MARTINEZ, Raquel. Virtual networks and perceived social support users with disabilities: analysis by type, degree and stage of the disability is acquired. Escritos de Psicología [online]. 2017, vol.10, n.1, pp.31-40. ISSN 1989-3809.  https://dx.doi.org/10.5231/psy.writ.2017.21403.

There has been a recent increase in the number of online social networks for social support exchange. However, studies on the characteristics and types of Internet forums created for young people with disabilities remain scarce. The objective of this study wasto identify perceived social support among young users of social networks in these spaces according to the type, degree, and duration of the disability. The study included 116 young people (age range, 20-35 years; M = 28.22, SD = 4.02) with different types of disabilities (physical, intellectual, visual, and auditory). They were administered the Perceived Social Support Through Social Networks Scale. This instrument comprises a 4-point Likert scale (0 = none, 4 = a lot) with 15 items divided into two factors. The results show a high level of perceived social support in online social networks among young people with physical disabilities and with greater degrees of disability. These results suggest that online social networks are important to young people with disabilities for social support exchange. They may also be of help in designing programs aimed at promoting social integration.

Keywords : Young people; Disability; Online social network; Perceived social support.

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