This study investigates loneliness in life stories by people with disabilities. By approaching loneliness from a relational perspective, this study attempts to illustrate how loneliness and disability are intertwined in the life course. The research question was as follows: How do people with disabilities understand loneliness in their life stories? Life story data ‘Life of Disabled Persons in Finland 2013–2014’ was analysed with a narrative life course approach. Loneliness was narrated in accordance with normative life course expectations. People with disabilities narrated loneliness as unbelonging in childhood, disjointed youth and disaffiliation to normative institutions in adulthood. This study suggests that relation between loneliness and disability concern the conditions of inclusion
(Edited publisher abstract)
This study investigates loneliness in life stories by people with disabilities. By approaching loneliness from a relational perspective, this study attempts to illustrate how loneliness and disability are intertwined in the life course. The research question was as follows: How do people with disabilities understand loneliness in their life stories? Life story data ‘Life of Disabled Persons in Finland 2013–2014’ was analysed with a narrative life course approach. Loneliness was narrated in accordance with normative life course expectations. People with disabilities narrated loneliness as unbelonging in childhood, disjointed youth and disaffiliation to normative institutions in adulthood. This study suggests that relation between loneliness and disability concern the conditions of inclusion that is the conditions of living and telling.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
life story work, loneliness, social isolation, disabilities;
The purpose of the report (Terms of Reference) is to review national implementation of the European Employment Strategy from a disability equality perspective, and to provide the Commission with useful evidence in support of disability policy mainstreaming. More specifically, the report will review implementation of EU Employment Strategy and the PROGRESS initiative with reference to policy implementation evidence from European countries, including the strategies addressed in the EU Disability Action Plan (such as flexicurity and supported employment).
The purpose of the report (Terms of Reference) is to review national implementation of the European Employment Strategy from a disability equality perspective, and to provide the Commission with useful evidence in support of disability policy mainstreaming. More specifically, the report will review implementation of EU Employment Strategy and the PROGRESS initiative with reference to policy implementation evidence from European countries, including the strategies addressed in the EU Disability Action Plan (such as flexicurity and supported employment).
EUROPEAN FOUNDATION FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF LIVING AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Publisher:
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
Publication year:
2012
Pagination:
132p.
Place of publication:
Dublin
Young people with disabilities or health problems face particular difficulties in accessing employment. Active inclusion policy is seen as the most appropriate policy instrument for combating the exclusion of these young people from the labour market. This study examines the implementation of active inclusion policy at national level in 11 EU Member States (Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands,
Young people with disabilities or health problems face particular difficulties in accessing employment. Active inclusion policy is seen as the most appropriate policy instrument for combating the exclusion of these young people from the labour market. This study examines the implementation of active inclusion policy at national level in 11 EU Member States (Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Portugal and Slovakia). The study reviews policy in these countries and compiles information from 44 case studies of good practice among diverse and innovative service providers. There is a new trend indicating a significant increase in the take up of benefits among young people. The research shows that the reason for the increase has been predominantly various mental health problems. Research also indicates that debt is a much stronger risk factor for mental disorder than low income. Additionally, current employment patterns with long hours and more intense work are not conducive for people with health problems. There is also an issue of special education as it seems that in many countries people with health problems move directly from special education into incapacity schemes. To identify effective strategies to tackle this trend, there is clear need to understand the reasons. The study concludes that policy and practice need to focus more keenly on these young people, to learn from available evidence, and to take a more joined-up approach to service delivery.
Subject terms:
social policy, social welfare, unemployment, young people, benefits, disabilities;
Content type:
research review
Location(s):
Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Publication year:
2007
Pagination:
78p., bibliog.
Place of publication:
Paris
As the population aged 65 and over will continue to grow steadily in OECD countries over the next decades, improvements in the functional status of elderly people could help mitigate the rise in the demand for, and hence expenditure on, long-term care. This paper assesses the most recent evidence on trends in disability among the population aged 65 and over in 12 OECD countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. One of the principal findings from this review is that there is clear evidence of a decline in disability among elderly people in only five of the twelve countries studied (Denmark, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States). Three countries (Belgium, Japan and Sweden) report an increasing rate of severe disability among people aged 65 and over during the past five to ten years, and two countries (Australia, Canada) report a stable rate. In France and the United Kingdom, data from different surveys show different trends in ADL disability rates among elderly people, making it impossible to reach any definitive conclusion on the direction of the trend. One of the main policy implications that can be drawn from the findings of this study is that it would not be prudent for policymakers to count on future reductions in the prevalence of severe disability among elderly people to offset completely the rising demand for long-term care that will result from population ageing.
As the population aged 65 and over will continue to grow steadily in OECD countries over the next decades, improvements in the functional status of elderly people could help mitigate the rise in the demand for, and hence expenditure on, long-term care. This paper assesses the most recent evidence on trends in disability among the population aged 65 and over in 12 OECD countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. One of the principal findings from this review is that there is clear evidence of a decline in disability among elderly people in only five of the twelve countries studied (Denmark, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States). Three countries (Belgium, Japan and Sweden) report an increasing rate of severe disability among people aged 65 and over during the past five to ten years, and two countries (Australia, Canada) report a stable rate. In France and the United Kingdom, data from different surveys show different trends in ADL disability rates among elderly people, making it impossible to reach any definitive conclusion on the direction of the trend. One of the main policy implications that can be drawn from the findings of this study is that it would not be prudent for policymakers to count on future reductions in the prevalence of severe disability among elderly people to offset completely the rising demand for long-term care that will result from population ageing.
Subject terms:
long term care, older people, ageing, assessment, disabilities, evidence-based practice;
Location(s):
Canada, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States
This report presents findings from the project Living Independently at Home: Reforms in organisation and governance of European home care for older people and people with disabilities (LIVINDHOME). The study provides an overview of recent and current reforms in the organisation and governance of home care systems in nine European countries, and analyses the intended and unintended results of these reforms, in particular, how the reforms have affected the organisation, supply and quality of care. The focus of the study is home care for older people and for people with disabilities. In countries that have more family-oriented welfare traditions (Austria, Germany, Italy, Ireland), comprehensive approaches to long-term care have started to develop only relatively recently. Despite increases in funding
This report presents findings from the project Living Independently at Home: Reforms in organisation and governance of European home care for older people and people with disabilities (LIVINDHOME). The study provides an overview of recent and current reforms in the organisation and governance of home care systems in nine European countries, and analyses the intended and unintended results of these reforms, in particular, how the reforms have affected the organisation, supply and quality of care. The focus of the study is home care for older people and for people with disabilities. In countries that have more family-oriented welfare traditions (Austria, Germany, Italy, Ireland), comprehensive approaches to long-term care have started to develop only relatively recently. Despite increases in funding for long-term care, home care provision in Italy and Ireland remains highly fragmented, with major local variations in access to services. The second group of countries (Denmark, England, Finland, Norway, and Sweden) have had more or less comprehensive home care services in place for many years. These have been delivered by local authorities under a legislative framework set by central government. Reforms have here involved the introduction of market- and consumer-related mechanisms into the supply and delivery of home care.
Subject terms:
home care, independent living, informal care, older people, social care provision, carers, disabilities;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
Austria, Denmark, England, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Norway, Sweden
This report, relating specifically to Finland, is one of a series reviewing national implementation of the European Employment Strategy from a disability equality perspective. It provides an update as at November 2009 to a first report published in 2008. Evidence is summarised, along with a comment on the current economic crisis. It is then briefly reviewed in a standardised format under the following headings: academic publications and research reports; employment statistics and trends; laws and policies, type and quality of jobs; specific examples of good practice; and conclusions and recommendations. New qualitative data indicate that there are 43,534 disabled people in the public labour market in Finland. This represents a fall of 4.4% in the employment rate of this group between 2000 and 2008. However labour market training has increased in parallel. The government budget for the employment of disabled people was 36m Euro in 2008. One of the most important policies in this area is the long term development of intermediate labour markets. New research evidence shows that 15-20% of disabled people have a paid job compared to 70% of the whole population. Detailed data on the direct impact of the economic crisis on the employment of disabled people in Finland is not yet available.
This report, relating specifically to Finland, is one of a series reviewing national implementation of the European Employment Strategy from a disability equality perspective. It provides an update as at November 2009 to a first report published in 2008. Evidence is summarised, along with a comment on the current economic crisis. It is then briefly reviewed in a standardised format under the following headings: academic publications and research reports; employment statistics and trends; laws and policies, type and quality of jobs; specific examples of good practice; and conclusions and recommendations. New qualitative data indicate that there are 43,534 disabled people in the public labour market in Finland. This represents a fall of 4.4% in the employment rate of this group between 2000 and 2008. However labour market training has increased in parallel. The government budget for the employment of disabled people was 36m Euro in 2008. One of the most important policies in this area is the long term development of intermediate labour markets. New research evidence shows that 15-20% of disabled people have a paid job compared to 70% of the whole population. Detailed data on the direct impact of the economic crisis on the employment of disabled people in Finland is not yet available.
Subject terms:
labour market, law, disabilities, employment, equal opportunities, government policy;
ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Publisher:
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Publication year:
2008
Pagination:
202p.
Place of publication:
Paris
This third report in a series of thematic reviews looking at national policies to control and reduce the inflow into sickness and disability benefit programmes, and to assist those beneficiaries who are able to work to reintegrate with the labour market, examines the challenges facing Denmark, Finland, Ireland and the Netherlands. It sets out current key outcomes in the four countries, evaluates past and ongoing sickness and disability policy reforms, discusses the role of the state in helping to reduce the inflow into long-term benefits through better sickness management and disability assessment and in helping beneficiaries back to work through employment policies and rehabilitation measures, looks at the role of employers and their incentives to retain and recruit workers with health problems, analyses incentives for individuals and how tax and benefit systems affect work decisions, and provides an analysis of institutional challenges and incentives. It includes policy recommendations for each country.
This third report in a series of thematic reviews looking at national policies to control and reduce the inflow into sickness and disability benefit programmes, and to assist those beneficiaries who are able to work to reintegrate with the labour market, examines the challenges facing Denmark, Finland, Ireland and the Netherlands. It sets out current key outcomes in the four countries, evaluates past and ongoing sickness and disability policy reforms, discusses the role of the state in helping to reduce the inflow into long-term benefits through better sickness management and disability assessment and in helping beneficiaries back to work through employment policies and rehabilitation measures, looks at the role of employers and their incentives to retain and recruit workers with health problems, analyses incentives for individuals and how tax and benefit systems affect work decisions, and provides an analysis of institutional challenges and incentives. It includes policy recommendations for each country.
Subject terms:
labour market, physical illness, public sector, rehabilitation, benefits, disabilities, employment;
Aging and Mental Health, 10(6), November 2006, pp.599-605.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
This study investigated the association between improvement in depressive symptoms and changes in self-rated health among community-dwelling disabled older adults over time. Multivariate logistic regression models were applied using the 1993 and 1995 Assets and Health Dynamics among the Oldest-Old Survey data. Changes in depressive symptoms and changes in self-rated health clearly coincide. Among participants with functional disability in 1993 and 1995, a decrease in depressive symptoms was associated with decreased odds of having decline in self-rated health (odds ratio [OR], 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78–0.93) and was associated with increased odds of having improvement in self-rated health (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04–1.27). Similar results were also found among participants with no functional disability in 1993 and with functional disability in 1995. Among community-dwelling older adults who remained disabled at follow-up or who experienced disability only at follow-up, even just a small decrease in depressive symptoms was associated with increased odds of having improvement in self-rated health and with decreased risks of having decline in self-rated health. Reducing the number of symptoms of depression among these disabled older adults would be beneficial in improving their self-rated health as well as maintaining and promoting their quality of life.
This study investigated the association between improvement in depressive symptoms and changes in self-rated health among community-dwelling disabled older adults over time. Multivariate logistic regression models were applied using the 1993 and 1995 Assets and Health Dynamics among the Oldest-Old Survey data. Changes in depressive symptoms and changes in self-rated health clearly coincide. Among participants with functional disability in 1993 and 1995, a decrease in depressive symptoms was associated with decreased odds of having decline in self-rated health (odds ratio [OR], 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78–0.93) and was associated with increased odds of having improvement in self-rated health (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04–1.27). Similar results were also found among participants with no functional disability in 1993 and with functional disability in 1995. Among community-dwelling older adults who remained disabled at follow-up or who experienced disability only at follow-up, even just a small decrease in depressive symptoms was associated with increased odds of having improvement in self-rated health and with decreased risks of having decline in self-rated health. Reducing the number of symptoms of depression among these disabled older adults would be beneficial in improving their self-rated health as well as maintaining and promoting their quality of life.
Subject terms:
older people, quality of life, adults, community care, depression, disabilities, health needs;
Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(23-24), 2021, pp.11409-11434.
Publisher:
Sage
The focus of this study was on the question of whether or not children with a number of disabilities and long-term illnesses are at increased risk of child maltreatment (mental violence, disciplinary violence, and serious violence). This study was based on the Child Victim Survey of 2013 (FSD2943). The data consist of a nationally representative sample of pupils in Finland in sixth grade (12–13 years of age) and ninth grade (15–16 years of age). The sampling was undertaken as a stratified cluster by province, municipality type, and school size. The total number of respondents was 11,364. According to the logistic regression analyses, the children with at least three disabilities or long-term illnesses had an increased risk of violence compared with children with no disability: The risk of mental violence increased by 2.96 times, the risk of disciplinary violence by 4.30 times, and the risk of serious violence by 3.53 times. The effect of the category of at least three disabilities and illnesses remained statistically significant, although the analysis also accounted for several confounding factors. Thus, a child’s multiple morbidity (in the case of three or more disabilities and illnesses) can be categorized as one of the major risk factors for child maltreatment. The study complements the results of previous studies concerning the effect of children’s disabilities and long-term illnesses and their impact on child maltreatment. The results underline the importance of employees of health and social care having knowledge of multiple morbidity and its importance as a key factor
(Edited publisher abstract)
The focus of this study was on the question of whether or not children with a number of disabilities and long-term illnesses are at increased risk of child maltreatment (mental violence, disciplinary violence, and serious violence). This study was based on the Child Victim Survey of 2013 (FSD2943). The data consist of a nationally representative sample of pupils in Finland in sixth grade (12–13 years of age) and ninth grade (15–16 years of age). The sampling was undertaken as a stratified cluster by province, municipality type, and school size. The total number of respondents was 11,364. According to the logistic regression analyses, the children with at least three disabilities or long-term illnesses had an increased risk of violence compared with children with no disability: The risk of mental violence increased by 2.96 times, the risk of disciplinary violence by 4.30 times, and the risk of serious violence by 3.53 times. The effect of the category of at least three disabilities and illnesses remained statistically significant, although the analysis also accounted for several confounding factors. Thus, a child’s multiple morbidity (in the case of three or more disabilities and illnesses) can be categorized as one of the major risk factors for child maltreatment. The study complements the results of previous studies concerning the effect of children’s disabilities and long-term illnesses and their impact on child maltreatment. The results underline the importance of employees of health and social care having knowledge of multiple morbidity and its importance as a key factor regarding child maltreatment.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
long term conditions, disabilities, child abuse, violence, risk, children, vulnerable children, child neglect;
Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 11(2), 2014, pp.137-148.
Publisher:
Wiley
The author addresses “personal budgeting” as a disability service reform issue. To address this, a pilot project was undertaken in two Finnish municipal districts, in which personal budgeting was introduced as part of a 4-year experiment. According to previous research, the power relations of persons with disabilities and disability service professionals are expected to change because constituted were analysed by discourse analytical method to find out if the power relations changed because of a shift in the locus of decision making. The study showed there is a need for a change in attitudes to enable people with disabilities to live with the full rights attributed to the population as a whole. The data implied that current service cultures do not enable the situation to change
(Edited publisher abstract)
The author addresses “personal budgeting” as a disability service reform issue. To address this, a pilot project was undertaken in two Finnish municipal districts, in which personal budgeting was introduced as part of a 4-year experiment. According to previous research, the power relations of persons with disabilities and disability service professionals are expected to change because of the process of personal budgeting. This article discusses the social positions that are occupied by the professionals and service users in the pilot project. These positions were analysed within the context of expected change in disability service culture. Research data consisted of interviews and recorded discussions collected among the service users and professionals involved in the pilot. The positions constituted were analysed by discourse analytical method to find out if the power relations changed because of a shift in the locus of decision making. The study showed there is a need for a change in attitudes to enable people with disabilities to live with the full rights attributed to the population as a whole. The data implied that current service cultures do not enable the situation to change and that the personnel in disability services are themselves in crucial positions for changing the culture, often simply by changing their working methods.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
self-determination, personal budgets, disabilities, professionals, service development, relationships, decision making, person-centred care, personalisation;