Research Development from Acceptance to the Meaning of Acquired Disability in People with Impaired Mobility in Japan

Japanese studies examining psychosocial issues in people with acquired mobility‐related disabilities have been developed under the influence of rehabilitation psychology theories, such as the theory of value change and stage theory, established in the U nited S tates. In J apan, the combination of disability acceptance and stage theory is distinctive, focusing on the occurrence of depression. These psychosocial studies have been criticized, because they have placed excessive emphasis on individual factors and have underestimated sociocultural factors from a long‐term perspective. Therefore, researchers have begun to examine the meanings of disabilities via qualitative analysis, as they have not assumed psychological goals, such as acceptance or adjustment. These studies have revealed that people with disabilities tend to revise the meanings of disabilities, as they lead their lives in diverse contexts with respect to coping. Stories that have involved “subjunctivizing” reality have deepened participants’ understanding of their lives and have allowed for the identification of new meanings for disabilities. These studies also value identity development in people with disabilities via relationships with those with diverse disabilities. Further studies examining the association between these results and disability welfare from a lifespan perspective are required.