Journal Article Details

Citation:
Lustig, D.C., & Strauser, D. R. (2007). Causal relationships between poverty and disability. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 50 (4), 194-202.
Title:
Causal relationships between poverty and disability
Authors:
Lustig, D.C., & Strauser, D. R.
Year:
2007
Journal/Publication: 
Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin
Publisher:
pro-ed
DOI:
Research summary:
Full text:
Peer-reviewed?
Yes
NIDILRR-funded? 
Not reported

Structured abstract:

Background:
Research has provided an understanding of why disability may cause poverty; however, a better understanding is needed of why poverty may cause disability.
Purpose:
The authors present the Poverty Disability Model, which offers an explanation of how individuals’ experience of poverty may increase their likelihood of experiencing disability and chronic health problems.
Setting:
United States
Findings:
There are four groups of factors that increase the risk that poverty will cause disability and chronic health problems: 1) social role devaluation, 2) environmental risk factors, 3) negative group influences, and (4) weakened sense of coherence, defined as a global orientation that the world is incomprehensible, unmanageable, and unmeaningful. The authors suggest that poverty reduces individuals’ access to resources that affect their acquisition of a chronic health problem or disability.
Conclusions:
The Poverty Disability Model links poverty as a cause of disability and establishes a foundation for future research to examine causal connections between poverty and disability.
Populations served:
Transition-age youth (14 - 24)
Adjudicated adults and youth
Consumers receiving federal financial assistance through TANF
Culturally diverse populations (e.g., African Americans, Native Americans, and non-English speaking populations)
High school dropouts / functionally illiterate persons
Persons with multiple disabilities (e.g., deaf-blindness, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse)
SSI and SSDI recipients
Sub-minimum wage employees
Youth in foster care