https://library.icmglt.org/files/original/42476307c1bec3cf56d381cd2a305cca.jpg 433f7b95c38702046b64cdcb43aad458 https://library.icmglt.org/files/original/ce788776fb0850cd819ac593cd1dccc9.pdf c1aa301357face37f181d7be9a6eae66 Electronic Resource Access Open Access Document Type Journal article Author(s) Victoria Clarke, Virginia Braun Volume Vol. 13 Issue No. 1 Publisher American Psychological Association Journal Name Qualitative Psychology Publication Date 2026 ISBN 23263601 Region United Kingdom Abstract The wider culture is rife with negative representations of physically disabled people’s sexuality, with them often constructed as asexual and unfit for relationships. The—predominantly quantitative—literature on perceptions of physically disabled people’s sexuality evidences negative social perceptions in—typically—student samples. But research focused on willingness to date a disabled person (also often with students) suggests more positive attitudes, although the role of social desirability in responses is unclear. We expand existing knowledge by qualitatively exploring how younger adults make sense of a dating scenario involving a clearly “marked” as disabled (wheelchair user) character (Cameron) and an “unmarked” character (Andy). By using the novel story completion method that explores a hypothetical scenario, we aimed to circumvent social desirability and gain access to everyday sensemaking around disability and dating. Our analysis highlights six themes from the stories: (a) the unexpected wheelchair; (b) anxious Andy, the good guy; (c) the elephant in the room; (d) disability as personal tragedy; (e) the good disabled person; and (f) love conquers all. Although participants wrote stories about the scenario that framed disability as an obstacle to a successful date, the stories were mainly of a successful date. But even “positive” stories conveyed subtle manifestations of ableism. We argue that story completion provides a useful method for qualitative psychologists to interrogate social perceptions, particularly when social desirability is a concern. Cataloger Edrina Adjei-Manu Language English View Source <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000342">https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000342</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Unexpected Wheelchair: Exploring U.K. University Students’ Social Perceptions of Dating and Physical Disability Using Story Completion Subject The topic of the resource Discrimination against people with disabilities Disabilities Emotional Distress Psychology United Kingdom