Development of a Three-Stage Strength-Based Meaning Intervention to Promote Mental Health Among Individuals with Physical Disabilities in Disadvantaged Communities : A Randomized Controlled Trial

A three-stage strength-based meaning intervention (SMI) was developed in the present study, and its utility in facilitating the mental health of individuals with physical disabilities in low-income communities was tested. A randomized controlled and single-blind trial was adopted. A total of 50 qualified participants (mean age = 42.12, standard deviation = 8.68; 48% males; 26 for the intervention group, 24 for the control group) completed the pre-intervention test, post-intervention test, and three-month follow-up test. No significant difference was observed between the two groups at pre-intervention assessment. After intervention, the results in terms of strength knowledge, strength use, sense of meaning in life and mental health showed a significant improvement in the intervention group, with the changes maintained over three months except mental health. The differences in mental health between the post-intervention test and the three-month follow-up test were not significant in the intervention group. The results imply that the SMI model is a promising approach in promoting the mental health of individuals with physical disabilities in low-income communities as it promotes improved knowledge and use of strength and sense of meaning in life.