Self – Concept and Depression Among People with Physical Mobility Disabilities in Bethlehem District.

This study aimed to assess self-concept and depression among people with physical mobility disabilities as well as at being acquainted with the impact of some variables and their relationship with the self-concept and depression for this sector in in Bethlehem District. The population of the study represented people with physical mobility disabilities, in Bethlehem District whose ages were between (18-65 years) during the year 2011/ 2012. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher used the descriptive correlation approach wherein she used a questionnaire to collect data. The results of the study indicated that self-concept was positive among 49.6% of the respondents, whereas self-concept was negative on all dimensions of the self-concept scale, with a range of (50.4% -57.4%). The results also indicated that 68.2% of the respondents had depression symptoms that ranged between medium to high. On the other hand, the results indicated a statistically significant inverse relationship between the degree of self-concept and the degree of depression of the respondent, wherein the higher the degree of self-concept, the lower the degree of depression, and vice versa. Further the results of the study showed that there was a statistical significant difference at ( α ≤ 0.05) self-concept and some variables of the study, wherein there were differences among age groups with highest rates for age group ( 31-40 years). On the other hand, there was a positive relationship with family's monthly income which is more than ( 2501 Sheqels), academic achievement of the respondents who studied at the universityresidence of the camp, the employment, appropriateness of housing for the respondents who have suitable housing conditions, and time of occurrence of disability for the respondents who have their disabilities after birth, and an inverse relationship with the severity of disability for the respondents with a slight disability wherein their self-concept degree was higher . The result of the study indicated the existence of statistical differences between the level of depression and some variances of the study at the significance level (α ≤ 0.05) according to the variance of gender. The results showed that the degree of depression is higher among females than males, marital status where there was an increased degree of depression for divorced and widows, as well as a positive correlation with age and severity of disability. However, there was an inverse relationship with the academic achievement. Moreover, The results showed that the degree of depression is higher among respondents who did not work and represented (85.6%) of the respondents. The results also indicateda higher degree of depression among respondents whose their houses were inappropriate for disability or moderately on an average scale, and a positive relation between the severity of the disability and depression. According to the results of the study the researcher suggested many recommendations for the benefit of future researchers, psychologists, people in charge and decision makers at the official governmental level, private institutions, and non-governmental organizations in Palestine, such as increasing attention to the subject of self-concept among people with disabilities, and providing a supportive environment and stimulating the selfunderstanding and detection to ensure the formation and promotion of the concept positively with all the dimensions of physical, moral, personal, familial, social, behavioral, gratification and self-criticism and identity. And providing appropriate conditions for the success of universal inclusion principal for people with disabilities in schools, in society, at the workplace, housing, social clubs and sports. Moreover, developing the programs and the services that were designed to enable and strengthen people with physical disabilities to increase self-reliance, independence and integration into society