The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68381

Katherine Froehlich-Grobe, PhD, Occupational Therapy Education Department, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mailstop 2003, Kansas City, KS 66160, (913)588-7195, kgrobe@kumc.edu, Jessica Roberts, MS, Psychology Department, University of Kansas, 1415 Jayhawk Boulevard, Fraser Hall, Lawrence, KS 66045, and Glen W. White, PhD, Research and Training Center on Independent Living, University of Kansas, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Dole 4089, Lawrence, KS 66045.

Rehabilitation and disability researchers interested in measuring "health" for people with disabilities find themselves adopting health measures used among non-impaired individuals in the general population. However, the relevance and validity of applying these measures to individuals with disabilities has been questioned (Andresen, Lollar, & Myers, 2000). Recently Myers and Andresen (2000) suggested "enabling" items to eliminate bias that the original versions may introduce for those with lifelong impairments. Building upon this notion, this study investigated whether "enabling" the physical function subsection of the SF36 would result in measurable differences among respondents with disabilities. One hundred seventy-five people with various disabilities completed the regular and "enabled" versions of the SF36 two weeks apart. Results suggest that "enabling" the physical function survey section for wheelchair users may yield more accurate responses regarding their physical health, but be less relevant for those with sensory or cognitive impairments. This presentation will present results from this study as well as suggest implications for choosing appropriate measures for health-related research among those with disabilities.

Learning Objectives:

• Why might it be important to "enable" surveys for people with disabilities?
• What are the implications for selecting measures for individuals with disabilities that are based on research in the general population?

Keywords: Disability Studies, Outcome Measures

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.