Preliminary Programme

Social support, especially that of family, is an important factor in mitigating risks for people with disabilities. Overall, everyday interactions between family members can improve the health and safety of disabled populations. Families can help to provide proper nutrition, emotional support, ensure vaccination, provide protection from violence and create an overall environment of safety and trust which increases the survival chances of people with disabilities. This is especially true in context with limited public support for individuals, such as in Sweden in the early 20th century. In this study, we analyze how family support in the form of the proximity of relatives and marital status was associated with the mortality risks for people with a disability in Sweden, 1900-1959. We use longitudinal data from Sweden with information on family relationships, geographical location and disability status, across the life course. Using Cox proportional hazard models we estimate the survival chances by family support and disability. Preliminary analysis shows that marriage improved survival chances for disabled men, while not for women. Proximity to family members, on the other hand, was as protective for disabled women and men as their non-disabled peers. These preliminary results show that the role of family support for the health of people with disabilities is gendered. (Show less)