Disability and social cohesion among older adults: a multi-country study
International Journal of Social Economics
ISSN: 0306-8293
Article publication date: 21 September 2018
Issue publication date: 29 March 2019
Abstract
Purpose
Disabled are often vulnerable to social exclusion due to the lack of social protection schemes. Therefore, in the absence of adequate social welfare systems, social cohesion is of enormous importance for the disabled older adults. That said, the purpose of this paper is to explore the link between disability and social cohesion among the older adults in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) conducted in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa during 2007–2010 have been used for the analysis. Disability scores and social cohesion scores have been constructed using the Item Response Theory Partial Credit Model. Also, bivariate, multivariate and path analyses have been used for the examination.
Findings
Results show that disability substantially and significantly restricts social cohesion of the older adults in the selected countries. Moreover, path analysis indicates that, among others, disability affects physical activity which, in turn, leads to a lower socially active life. In addition, social cohesion is significantly lower among the older adults who are females, residing in urban areas, in poorer classes, widowed, not working and not having formal education.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ search, this study is perhaps the first attempt to look into the association between disability and social cohesion in a comprehensive and holistic manner in a multi-country context. A socially cohesive society provides a sense of belonging, participation, inclusion, and recognition to all. So, it is high time to create a socially as well as economically sensitive environment which can provide due recognition and inclusion to the disabled older adults.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors of this paper have not made their research data set openly available. Any enquiries regarding the data set can be directed to the corresponding author. The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewer for providing comments and suggestions on earlier draft.
Citation
Rahman, M.H.U. and Singh, A. (2019), "Disability and social cohesion among older adults: a multi-country study", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 46 No. 4, pp. 485-502. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-05-2018-0230
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited