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Conceptualization and measurement of disability in studies on subjective well-being: a critical review and evidence from the Italian Health Surveys

Author

Listed:
  • Carlo Francescutti

    (Azienda per l’Assistenza Sanitaria n. 5)

  • Alessandra Battisti

    (Istat)

  • Giampiero Griffo

    (Disabled People International)

  • Alessandro Solipaca

    (Istat)

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to assess, through a wide literature review, whether the concept of “disability,” as variously formulated, can be considered a good foundation for scientific research on happiness and subjective well-being, as well as the effect of some conceptualizations on the understanding of the relationship between happiness and disability. The literature review includes longitudinal population studies, cross-sectional surveys and longitudinal clinical researches. The empirical part of the study, based on the 2013 Italian Health Interview Survey, shows some examples of the impact of different definitions of disability on the subjective well-being variability. The Italian Health Interview Survey is conducted every 5 years and carried out on a sample of about 60,000 households and 162,000 respondents distributed in 1456 municipalities. Some suggestions for future research, based on a vision of the multifaceted nature of disability, are proposed.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlo Francescutti & Alessandra Battisti & Giampiero Griffo & Alessandro Solipaca, 2017. "Conceptualization and measurement of disability in studies on subjective well-being: a critical review and evidence from the Italian Health Surveys," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 64(2), pages 179-195, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:inrvec:v:64:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s12232-017-0268-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s12232-017-0268-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Baumberg, Ben & Jones, Melanie & Wass, Victoria, 2015. "Disability prevalence and disability-related employment gaps in the UK 1998–2012: Different trends in different surveys?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 72-81.
    2. Oswald, Andrew J. & Powdthavee, Nattavudh, 2008. "Does happiness adapt? A longitudinal study of disability with implications for economists and judges," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(5-6), pages 1061-1077, June.
    3. Rouquette, Alexandra & Badley, Elizabeth M. & Falissard, Bruno & Dub, Timothée & Leplege, Alain & Coste, Joël, 2015. "Moderators, mediators, and bidirectional relationships in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework: An empirical investigation using a longitudinal design," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 133-142.
    4. van Praag, B. M. S. & Frijters, P. & Ferrer-i-Carbonell, A., 2003. "The anatomy of subjective well-being," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 51(1), pages 29-49, May.
    5. Powdthavee, Nattavudh, 2009. "What happens to people before and after disability? Focusing effects, lead effects, and adaptation in different areas of life," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(12), pages 1834-1844, December.
    6. Uppal, Sharanjit, 2006. "Impact of the timing, type and severity of disability on the subjective well-being of individuals with disabilities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(2), pages 525-539, July.
    7. Koch, Tom, 2000. "The illusion of paradox: commentary on Albrecht, G.L. and Devlieger, P.J. (1998). The disability paradox: high quality of life against all odds. Social Science & Medicine 48, 977-988," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 50(6), pages 757-759, March.
    8. Freedman, Vicki A. & Stafford, Frank & Schwarz, Norbert & Conrad, Frederick & Cornman, Jennifer C., 2012. "Disability, participation, and subjective wellbeing among older couples," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(4), pages 588-596.
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    Cited by:

    1. Luca Crivelli & Mario Lucchini, 2017. "Health and happiness: an introduction," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 64(2), pages 105-111, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Disability; Subjective well-being; Happiness; Health surveys; Disability surveys;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General

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