Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Understanding Self-determination Learning Experiences Among Taiwanese Adults with Severe Disabilities

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Published:
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Self-determination has been a primary focus of efforts to enhance quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Learning self-determination enables individuals to assume greater responsibility and control in their lives. The primary causal agency perspective on self-determination highlights the importance of learning self-determination for all individuals regardless of the severity of their disabilities. Examination of the perspectives of adults who have disabilities on their experiences of learning self-determination can provide valuable insights that can be applied to children and youths. In this study, we interviewed 10 participants from Taiwan, all of whom had severe to profound physical disabilities or multiple disabilities. Data were analyzed thematically, and the following themes regarding participants’ self-determination experiences emerged: (1) beliefs about self-determination, (2) challenges from external interference, (3) challenges from societal and cultural influences, (4) peer support for self-determination, and (5) family support for decision-making. Findings are discussed along with implications for the teaching of self-determination practices to relevant stakeholders.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
€32.70 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (Finland)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Angell, M. E., Stoner, J. B., & Fulk, B. M. (2010). Advice from adults with physical disabilities on fostering self-determination during the school years. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(3), 64–75. https://doi.org/10.1177/004005991004200307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arslan, I., Lucassen, N., Keijsers, L., & Stevens, G. (2023). When too much help is of no help: Mothers’ and fathers’ perceived overprotective behavior and (mal)adaptive functioning in adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 52(5), 1010–1023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-022-01723-0.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Brantlinger, E., Jimenez, R., Klinger, J., Pugach, M., & Richardson, V. (2005). Qualitative studies in special education. Exceptional Children, 71(2), 195–207. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440290507100205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carr, D., & Namkung, E. H. (2021). Physical disability at work: How functional limitation affects perceived discrimination and interpersonal relationships in the workplace. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 62(4), 545–561. https://doi.org/10.1177/00221465211023424.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Castleberry, A., & Nolen, A. (2018). Thematic analysis of qualitative research data: Is it as easy as it sounds? Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning, 10, 807–815.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chao, P. C. (2018). Using self-determination of senior college students with disabilities to predict their quality of life one year after graduation. European Journal of Educational Research, 7(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.7.1.1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chao, P. C., & Chou, Y. C. (2017). Elementary and junior high school teachers’ promotion of self-determination in Taiwan. International Education Studies, 10(9), 141. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v10n9p141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, C. C. (2012). Reconstructing transition knowledge in Taiwan. International Journal of Special Education, 27(1), 93–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiu, T., & Sun, H. Y. (2017). Definition and categorization of disability in Taiwan: A historical review. Journal of Asian Sociology, 46(1), 179–194. https://doi.org/10.21588/dns/2017.46.1.008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chu, S. Y. (2018). Family voices: Promoting foundation skills of self-determination for young children with disabilities in Taiwan. Asia Pacific Education Review, 19(1), 91–101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-018-9519-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curryer, B., Stancliffe, R. J., & Dew, A. (2015). Self-determination: Adults with intellectual disability and their family. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 40(4), 394–399.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curryer, B., Stancliffe, R. J., Wiese, M. Y., & Dew, A. (2020). The experience of mothers supporting self-determination of adult sons and daughters with intellectual disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33(3), 373–385. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12680.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Di Maggio, I., Shogren, K. A., Wehmeyer, M. L., & Nota, L. (2020). Self-determination and future goals in a sample of adults with intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 64(1), 27–37. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12696.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, M. J., Asselman, F. L., Kruitwagen-van Reenen, E. T., Verhoef, M., Wadman, R. I., Visser-Meily, J. M. A., van der Pol, W. L., & Schröder, C. D. (2020). Psychological well-being in adults with spinal muscular atrophy: The contribution of participation and psychological needs. Disability and Rehabilitation, 42(16), 2262–2270. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1555864.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flamant, N., Boncquet, M., Van Petegem, S., Haerens, L., Beyers, W., & Soenens, B. (2022). To endure or to resist? Adolescents’ coping with overprotective parenting. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 82, 101444. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2022.101444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hagiwara, M., Dean, E. E., & Shogren, K. A. (2019). The self-determined career design model: Supporting young people with developmental disabilities and their families in home and community settings. In Promoting Social Inclusion (Vol. 13, pp. 201–220). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-363620190000013016.

  • Hayman, B. (2019). Independent Living History. Access Living. https://www.accessliving.org/newsroom/blog/independent-living-history/.

  • Hesse-Biber, S. N. (2017). The practice of qualitative research (3rd ed.). Sage.

  • Heward, W. L., Alber-Morgan, S. R., & Konrad, M. (2017). Exceptional children: An introduction to special education (11th ed.). Pearson.

  • Hole, R. D., Stainton, T., & Wilson, L. (2013). Ageing adults with intellectual disabilities: Self-advocates’ and family members’ perspectives about the future. Australian Social Work, 66(4), 571–589. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2012.689307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Isaacson, N., Cocks, E., & Netto, J. A. (2014). Launching: The experiences of two young adults with intellectual disability and their families in transition to individual supported living. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 39(3), 270–281. https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2014.929643.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawamura, K. Y. (2012). Body image among Asian americans. In T. F. Cash (Ed.), Encyclopedia of body image and human appearance (pp. 95–102). Elsevier Academic.

  • Li, Y., Chen, H., Zhang, D., & Gilson, C. B. (2019). Effects of a self-monitoring strategy to increase classroom task completion for high school students with moderate intellectual disability. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 54(3), 263–273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liao, H. F., Yen, C. F., Chiu, T. Y., Chi, W. C., Liou, T. H., Chang, B. S., Wu, T. F., & Lu, S. J. (2022). Factor structure of an ICF-based measure of activity and participations for adults in Taiwan’s disability eligibility determination system. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 3, 879898–879898. https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2022.879898.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mamali, F. C., Chapman, M., Lehane, C. M., & Dammeyer, J. (2020). A national survey on intimate relationships, sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction among adults with physical and mental disabilities. Sexuality and Disability, 38(3), 469–489. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-020-09645-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mann, J., Royer, J. A., Mcdermott, S., Hardin, J. W., Ozturk, O., & Street, N. (2015). Hospitalizations and emergency room visits for adolescents and young adults with muscular dystrophy living in South Carolina. Muscle & Nerve, 52(5), 714–721. https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.24599.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McConnell, A., Sanford, C., Martin, J., Cameto, R., & Hodge, L. (2021). Skills, behaviors, expectations, and experiences associated with improved postsecondary outcomes for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 46(4), 240–258. https://doi.org/10.1177/15407969211053810.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Millen, K., Dorn, B., & Luckner, J. L. (2019). Friendships and self-determination among students who are deaf or hard of hearing. American Annals of the Deaf, 163(5), 576–595. https://doi.org/10.1353/aad.2019.0004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Health and Welfare (2023). Report of disabled people’s living condition and demand survey 2021. https://dep.mohw.gov.tw/DOS/lp-5096-113-xCat-y110.html.

  • Racine, E., Larivière-Bastien, D., Bell, E., Majnemer, A., & Shevell, M. (2012). Respect for autonomy in the healthcare context: Observations from a qualitative study of young adults with cerebral palsy: Respect for autonomy in cerebral palsy. Child: Care Health & Development, 873–879. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12018.

  • Rivera, Jimenez, B. A., Baker, J. N., Spies, T., Mims, P. J., & Courtade, G. (2016). A culturally and linguistically responsive Framework for improving academic and postsecondary outcomes of students with moderate or severe intellectual disability. Physical Disabilities: Education and Related Services, 35(2), 23–48. https://doi.org/10.14434/pders.v35i2.22171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rubio-Jimenez, A. L., & Kershner, R. (2021). Transition to independent living: Signs of self‐determination in the discussions of Mexican students with intellectual disability. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 49(3), 352–364. https://doi.org/10.1111/bld.12398.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2017). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Guil-ford.

  • Samuel, S., Dimitropoulos, G., Schraeder, K., Klarenbach, S., Nettel-Aguirre, A., Guilcher, G., Pacaud, D., Pinzon, J., Lang, E., Andrew, G., Zwaigenbaum, L., Scott, S., McBrien, K., Hamiwka, L., & Mackie, A. (2019). Pragmatic trial evaluating the effectiveness of a patient navigator to decrease emergency room utilisation in transition age youth with chronic conditions: The Transition Navigator Trial protocol. British Medical Journal Open, 9(12), e034309–e034309. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034309.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, K. Y. (2006). Overprotection and lowered expectations of persons with disabilities: The unforeseen consequences. Work (Reading, Mass.), 27(2), 181–188.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schiffrin, H. H., Liss, M., Miles-McLean, H., Geary, K. A., Erchull, M. J., & Tashner, T. (2014). Helping or hovering? The effects of helicopter parenting on college students’ well-being. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 23(3), 548–557. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-013-9716-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shogren, K. A. (2011). Culture and Self-Determination: A synthesis of the literature and directions for Future Research and Practice. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 34(2), 115–127. https://doi.org/10.1177/0885728811398271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skyrme, S. (2016). Living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Relational autonomy and decision-making. Children & Society, 30(3), 220–229. https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.12134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, C., & Forrester, M. A. (2019). Doing qualitative research in psychology (2nd Ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. ISBN-13: 978-1526402783.

  • Taub, T., & Werner, S. (2023). Perspectives of adolescents with disabilities and their parents regarding autonomous decision-making and self-determination. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 136, 104442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2023.104442.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, W. D., Cobigo, V., & Ouellette-Kuntz, H. (2019). A family systems perspective on supporting self‐determination in young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 32(5), 1116–1128. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12601.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, K. (2021). The right of independent living and its challenges in Taiwan. Taiwan Insight. https://taiwaninsight.org/2021/03/10/the-right-of-independent-living-and-its-challenges-in-taiwan/.

  • Wehmeyer, M. L. (2005). Self-determination and individuals with severe disabilities: Re-examining meanings and misinterpretations. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 30(3), 113–120. https://doi.org/10.2511/rpsd.30.3.113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wehmeyer, M. L. (2020). The importance of self-determination to the quality of life of people with intellectual disability: A perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(19), 7121. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197121.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wehmeyer, M. L., Kelchner, K., & Richards, S. (1996). Essential characteristics of self-determined behavior of individuals with mental retardation. American Journal of Mental Retardation, 100(6), 632–642.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. ICF Checklist Version 2.1a, Clinician Form (2003). https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/icf-checklist.

  • Zhang, D., Li, Y., & Cavazos, M. (2020). Effective practices for teaching self-determination. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education.

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors of this study are extremely grateful to all study participants who shared their perspectives on their learning of self-determination. Their responses and participation helped to provide practical implications for individuals who are learning about self-determination in their journey.

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching One UTSA Circle, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 78249, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Yi-Fan Li

  2. Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 162, Section 1, Heping E Rd, Da’an District, 106209, Taipei City, Taiwan

    Chih-Tsen Liu

  3. Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, 4225 TAMU, 77843, College Station, TX, USA

    Yingying Zhao

Authors
  1. Yi-Fan Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chih-Tsen Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yingying Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yi-Fan Li.

Ethics declarations

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Research Involving Human Participants

This study was reviewed and conducted in accordance with the ethical standards as laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments.

Informed Consent

This study obtained participants’ verbal consent. Participants were able to review inform consent both in English and Chinese versions.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, YF., Liu, CT. & Zhao, Y. Understanding Self-determination Learning Experiences Among Taiwanese Adults with Severe Disabilities. J Dev Phys Disabil 36, 1121–1145 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-024-09961-9

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-024-09961-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation