Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI 02908, USA.
Disabil Health J. 2009 Apr;2(2):77-85. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2008.12.002.
Many older adults who might benefit from using mobility aids do not or will not use them. Studies show that attitudes and beliefs strongly affect the decision to use mobility aids. Despite the growing diversity of the population, no prior studies have compared attitudes towards and beliefs about mobility aids by race and ethnicity.
This study aimed to explore whether and how attitudes towards and beliefs about mobility aid use vary by race and ethnicity.
We conducted 12 focus groups with 61 community dwelling persons age 65+ years from three groups: White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic. Data were coded and compared across groups.
For all groups, perceived benefits of mobility devices in maintaining independence and control produced positive attitudes. However, the association of mobility aid use with aging and physical decline contributed to stigmatizing attitudes. Black and Hispanic participants expressed apprehension about using unsafe or inappropriate secondhand equipment, heightened concerns about mobility aid users becoming subjects of negative biases, and a preference for fashionable aids. Hispanic participants expressed a preference for human assistance. Participants of all groups perceived physicians as influencing their decisions to use aids.
Social pressures and perceived stigma deter mobility aid use, particularly in minority populations. Greater physician involvement, positive peer models and affordable, safe, visually appealing devices would promote greater acceptance of mobility aids.
许多本可以从使用助行器中受益的老年人并没有或不会使用助行器。研究表明，态度和信念强烈影响使用助行器的决策。尽管人口的多样性不断增加，但之前没有研究比较过不同种族和族裔对助行器的态度和看法。
本研究旨在探讨对助行器的使用的态度和看法是否以及如何因种族和族裔而异。
我们对来自三个群体的 61 名年龄在 65 岁及以上的社区居住者进行了 12 个焦点小组：白人、非西班牙裔黑人、西班牙裔。对数据进行了编码并在组间进行了比较。
对于所有群体，移动设备在保持独立性和控制方面的好处产生了积极的态度。然而，助行器使用与衰老和身体衰退的关联导致了污名化的态度。黑人和西班牙裔参与者对使用不安全或不合适的二手设备表示担忧，对助行器使用者成为负面偏见对象的担忧加剧，并且偏爱时尚的助行器。西班牙裔参与者表示更倾向于使用人力协助。所有群体的参与者都认为医生会影响他们使用助行器的决定。
社会压力和感知到的污名将阻碍助行器的使用，尤其是在少数族裔中。更多的医生参与、积极的同龄人榜样以及负担得起、安全、外观吸引人的设备将促进对助行器的更大接受。
