@unpublished{theses_frw3887,
          author = {Gerben Steringa},
            year = {2022},
           title = {Wheelchair Mobility and Mental Well-being: How wheelchair use influences mobility and mental well-being for wheelchair users in the Netherlands},
             url = {https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/3887/},
        abstract = {This research explores the relationship between wheelchair mobility and mental well-being and
the effects between the two. Wheelchair use as a concept and its accompanying spatial issues
have been prevalent in society, but the public environment has not developed to sufficiently
accommodate for this demographic. Wheelchair users could therefore experience difficulties,
both in moving around, as well as their image within society, potentially influencing mental
well-being. The effects of wheelchair use on mental well-being have been rather unexplored,
prompting the question: ?What is the influence of wheelchair mobility on mental well-being for
people in the Netherlands, and how does spatial planning policy affect this??. Through hybrid
on-site and online in-depth interviews numerous stories, experiences and sentiments from
current and past wheelchair users were obtained to answer this question.
The results show that the most significant spatial issues when using a wheelchair arise within
the built environment, and in urban areas. Respondents experienced mixed mobility changes
when using a wheelchair, with both positive and negative effects becoming evident. In terms of
mental well-being while using a wheelchair, both positive and negative feelings were
experienced. An important negative sentiment experienced was the image within and treatment
by society, with being overlooked and ignored as main aspects. In conclusion, wheelchair
mobility and mental well-being are closely related, and both spatial planning policy and society?s
views are not yet up to standards to fully include wheelchair users within society.}
}