Abstract:
The objective of the study was to explore the psychosocial challenges and coping strategies of persons with disabilities during COVID0-19 in Addis Ababa, at Ethiopian national association of blind, Ethiopian national association of deaf and Ethiopian national association of physical disabilities. The study employed a qualitative approach with descriptive survey research design. To find out appropriate responses from participants twenty-one participants were recruited using purposive sampling method. The data collected through semi-structured in depth interview analyzed qualitatively, using thematic content analysis. The findings of the study revealed that persons with disabilities encountered psychosocial challenges such as stress, anxiety and depression. The result of the study also showed that persons with disabilities experienced social challenges with their families, friends and communities at all. In addition, they faced stigma and discrimination. The coping strategies employed by persons with disabilities during COVID-19 were religious coping, accept and emotional regulation, social support, positive reinterpretation and growth, denial and substance use. Depending on the finding, it is to conclude that: almost all participants of the study experiences psychological challenges. Due to fear of infected by the pandemic. Because of their disabilities, they had physical contact with other in troubling situation. Also worried about families and friends death. It implied that person with disabilities face psychological challenges resulting from personal and social factors. Depending on the result and conclusion, this recommended provide psychosocial support, accessible all information related to the pandemic for persons with disabilities, deliver awareness to communities different methods that used to help persons with disabilities through secured manner, make a bridge that easily connect employer and persons with disability and create favorable infrastructure for persons with disabilities.
