How older men with disabilities navigate stigma to maintain social networks: a qualitative study

Introduction: The experience of stigma is a significant societal barrier faced by many people with a disability; it is not well known how people navigate stigma in order to establish and maintain friendships. Social participation is an occupation which enhances a person’s well-being and quality of life, however, opportunities for social engagement can diminish as a person ages. This study aimed to explore how older men with a disability in Ireland navigate disability-related stigma to create and sustain lasting friendships. Method: The study was guided by critical disability theory. A qualitative approach, influenced by ethnographic principles, was applied through semi-structured interviews. The dataset for this study included 12 men aged 50-70 years with varied disability experiences. The data was analysed thematically using Atlas.ti software. Results: Participants demonstrated a breadth of experience in navigating stigma associated with their disability in order to create and sustain friendships. Three main themes emerged from the data: ‘community involvement’, ‘shared interests’ and ‘peer relationships’. Conclusion: This paper contributes to the limited knowledge of how older men with a disability in Ireland access friendships in their communities and emphasises the importance of meaningful occupation and peer support. This study indicates that older men can be a source of support for one another as they navigate their individual disabilities and strive to create and sustain their social networks. The findings provide a new insight for occupational therapists of their role in promoting social engagement through the facilitation of occupation-focused peer groups.