The Definition Dilemma
How Definitions of Disability Shape Statistics on Social Participation
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15474389 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Judith Baart (0009-0005-3242-0274, University of Humanistic Studies, corresponding author), Willem Elbers (0000-0002-0485-368X, Radboud University Nijmegen), Arie Schippers (0000-0002-6376-1718, University of Humanistic Studies), Sarah Polack (0000-0002-7524-7396, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 603-603 |
| Publication date | 2025-04-11 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph22040603 |
| PMID | 40283827 |
| OpenAlex | W4409361767 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 19 |
To monitor progress in including persons with disabilities, including in interventions which can improve their health and quality of life, it is crucial to collect data on their participation. However, there are many different ways of defining disability and thus categorising individuals as disabled/not disabled, which may impact measures of participation. This study aims to assess the relationship between three different measures of disability and the level of participation of persons with disabilities. We analysed data from a population-based survey of disability amongst Syrian refugees in Istanbul, which collected data on disability using the Washington Group enhanced set of disability questions as well a two-question set asking about perceived activity limitations due to disability. The prevalence of disability ranged from 13.5 to 22.4% depending on the measure used. The group of people that are categorised as disabled also differs, indicating who is being seen as disabled changes when a different measure is used. Levels of participation, with regards to paid work, education and being partnered, also varied by measure, for example, being in paid work ranged from 26% to 38%. These findings underscore the importance of carefully selecting and clearly defining disability measures in studies, (health) interventions and policy contexts
Dilemma · Disabled people · Inclusion (mineral · International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health · Medical model of disability · Political science · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Quality of life (healthcare · Refugee · Set (abstract data type · Work (physics · Applied Psychology · Cerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders · Computer Science · Disability Rights and Representation · Inclusion and Disability in Education and Sport · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology · Rehabilitation
Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities
Exploring the Use of Washington Group Questions to Identify People with Clinical Impairments Who Need Services including Assistive Products
Self-Report and Administrative Data on Disability and IEP Status
Disability, poverty and development
Disability as deprivation of capabilities
Disability and Poverty
Estimating disability prevalence and disability-related inequalities
The social meaning of disability
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |