SELF-ESTEEM IN THE MARGINS: ABLEISM AS A FOUCAULDIAN DISCOURSE AND THE SOCIAL EXCLUSION OF WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES—A SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS THROUGH FRENCH & SWAIN’S AFFIRMATIVE MODEL IN KOHAT DIVISION, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The present study seeks to elucidate the mechanisms through which self-esteem (independent variable), conceptualized within the ‘Affirmative Model of Disability’ developed by French & Swain, influences the extent of social exclusion experienced by women with disabilities (dependent variable) in Kohat Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Employing a Quantitative Research Design through a cross-sectional survey, a sample of 370 respondents was proportionally allocated across the districts of Kohat Division. To ensure methodological rigor, collaboration with district-level Social Welfare Offices facilitated accurate identification and categorization of eligible participants. Additionally, senior oral instructors assisted in interpreting interviews with hearing- and speech-impaired respondents, thereby enhancing the credibility and reliability of the structured questionnaire. The study focused on women with physical, auditory, verbal, and stature-related impairments, while individuals with intellectual disabilities were excluded to maintain validity. Reliability analysis using Cronbach’s Alpha yielded a coefficient of 0.87, indicating high internal consistency across all measurement items. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-Square (χ²) statistics to assess bivariate associations between self-esteem and social exclusion, supplemented by Kendall’s Tau-b (Tb) test to examine the strength and direction of relationships. When the entire sample was analyzed collectively, the association remained statistically significant (χ² = 106.993, p = 0.002; Tb = 0.538), confirming a strong and non-spurious relationship between self-esteem and social exclusion across the population. These findings underscore that self-esteem functions as a central psychosocial determinant of social inclusion among women with disabilities, aligning with Rosenberg’s (1965) theory of self-worth and Bogart’s (2014) work on disability self-concept. Moreover, the results indicate that lower self-esteem exacerbates experiences of marginalization and exclusion. The study recommends the implementation of robust psychosocial support programs, inclusive community initiatives, and socially affirmative practices to reduce persistent exclusion and enhance the well-being of women with disabilities.