Netshifhire, Rofhiwa2023-11-032023-11-032023https://hdl.handle.net/10539/36898A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, 2023The aim of this systematic review was to review existing and available literature on the socio-emotional experiences of disabled South African people regarding their disability. Relevant peer reviewed journal articles over a twenty-year period (2000-2020) were reviewed. Data collection was conducted by searching the following databases: EBSCO Host (CINAHL, MEDLIN, Psychology and Behavioural sciences collection), Sabinet and Sabinet African journals, PsychInfo, PubMed, and Taylor & Francis. Thematic synthesis was used to analyse data. Findings of this research revealed nineteen studies that fully met the inclusion criteria. Thirteen descriptive themes emerged including: positive experiences, need to motivate others, need to belong, the paradox of dependence and independence, negative emotions, constant fear of discrimination, shutting up, vulnerable, and the use of humour as a security to secure relationships. Furthermore, analytical themes that were further analysed from the descriptive themes produced four themes: experiences of various emotions, emotional needs in people with disabilities, disabled people finding themselves in unsafe environments, and taking back control.enDisability experiencesSocio-emotionalDisabledDissertation