The relationship between disability identity and use of person-first and identity-first language

Abstract

Purpose/objective: Debate continues over disability language preferences, with some individuals favoring person-first language and others preferring identity-first language. Not all people with disabilities identify as such, and language use may be influenced by an individual's disability identity. This study examined the relationship between disability identity and language use for self-identification, referring to others, and perceived appropriateness across different contexts.

Research method/design: In 2021, 776 participants (M = 39.9 years; 72.8% female, 17.5% nonbinary; 87.2% from Australia, 6.1% from the United States, 3.6% from the United Kingdom) completed a survey on demographic and health-related factors, disability identity, disability language use, and perceived appropriateness of disability language use across different contexts. Multiple linear and multinomial logistic regression models explored relationships among these variables.

Results: Participants with a stronger disability identity were more likely to use identity-first language and perceived it as more appropriate across contexts, while those with a lower disability identity preferred person-first language. Several demographic and health-related factors significantly predicted stronger disability identity, including younger age, nonbinary gender, residence in "other" countries (e.g., New Zealand, Canada, and European countries excluding the United Kingdom), neurodevelopmental, hearing, digestive, or pain conditions, congenital conditions, and having visible or both visible and invisible disabilities.

Conclusions/implications: These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of disability identity and language preferences. Future research should explore how personal and environmental contexts influence language use among people with disabilities, as addressing individuals with dignity and respect is essential in advancing toward a more inclusive society. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).