Kontakt X:X | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2026.059

Seeing through their eyes: social factors influencing subjective quality of life among people with physical disabilitiesSocial Sciences in Health - Original article

Lucia Tóthová ^* ORCID..., Yana Prokopovych

Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Faculty of Arts, Department of Social Work, Košice, Slovak Republic

Background: In social work, the quality of life (QoL) of people with disabilities is often assessed primarily through objective deficits. The present paper assumes that subjectively perceived QoL is not directly determined by the degree of functional limitation but is constructed in interaction with the social and institutional context.

Aim: The aim of the study was to identify social factors influencing the subjective QoL of people with physical disabilities. The authors approach the issue without a priori assumptions of low QoL and seek to understand the specific factors that shape it from the perspective of the actors themselves.

Methods: The qualitative research was conducted using the participatory PhotoVoice method with three participants. Data consisting of photographs and accompanying narratives were analysed using inductive reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: In addition to factors commonly identified in the literature, the participatory research design revealed specific determinants of QoL, particularly relative autonomy as the ability to negotiate assistance and maintain personal boundaries, the importance of diverse forms of social support and social participation, and the influence of institutional and structural recognition on everyday life.

Keywords: Disability; Participatory approach; PhotoVoice; Social work; Subjective quality of life

Conflicts of interest:

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Received: February 24, 2026; Revised: June 3, 2026; Accepted: September 24, 2026; Prepublished online: October 7, 2026