Ivaylo Vassilev1, Anne Rogers2, Caroline Sanders3, Sudeh Cheraghi-Sohi3, Christian Blickem3, Helen Brooks4, Dharmi Kapadia5, David Reeves3, Tim Doran6, Anne Kennedy7. 1. Greater Manchester Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK I.I.Vassilev@soton.ac.uk. 2. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. 3. Greater Manchester Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK Centre for Primary Care, Institute of Population Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. 4. Greater Manchester Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. 5. Greater Manchester Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. 6. Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK. 7. Greater Manchester Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Traditional measures of social status are predicated on position in the labour market. There has been less attention directed to the meanings of social position for people with a long-term condition whose relationship to employment is precarious. Previous research has demonstrated that the MacArthur scale is capable of capturing contextualised aspects of social status, which makes it a useful tool for exploring changes in meaning. AIMS: The paper explores the meanings and experiences of social status of people living with a long-term condition with particular reference to employment status. METHODS: A sample of 300 participants was drawn from diabetes and chronic heart disease registers of General Practices in North West England. A cross-sectional survey with nested qualitative interviews was used in collecting and analysing the data. FINDINGS: Having financial independence and participating in valued activities are more important for people with chronic illness than power and status mediated through the labour market. Income and the lack and loss of employment were given a central role in respondents' narratives reflecting the absence of acceptable alternative routes through which social status for those with a long-term condition can realistically be rebuilt outside of participation in the labour market. CONCLUSION: Social participation, where people with chronic illness feel valued and of tangible utility to other people, might offer some opportunities for rebuilding social status outside the labour market. Chronic illness management interventions need to focus on improving people's engagement with such activities.
BACKGROUND: Traditional measures of social status are predicated on position in the labour market. There has been less attention directed to the meanings of social position for people with a long-term condition whose relationship to employment is precarious. Previous research has demonstrated that the MacArthur scale is capable of capturing contextualised aspects of social status, which makes it a useful tool for exploring changes in meaning. AIMS: The paper explores the meanings and experiences of social status of people living with a long-term condition with particular reference to employment status. METHODS: A sample of 300 participants was drawn from diabetes and chronic heart disease registers of General Practices in North West England. A cross-sectional survey with nested qualitative interviews was used in collecting and analysing the data. FINDINGS: Having financial independence and participating in valued activities are more important for people with chronic illness than power and status mediated through the labour market. Income and the lack and loss of employment were given a central role in respondents' narratives reflecting the absence of acceptable alternative routes through which social status for those with a long-term condition can realistically be rebuilt outside of participation in the labour market. CONCLUSION: Social participation, where people with chronic illness feel valued and of tangible utility to other people, might offer some opportunities for rebuilding social status outside the labour market. Chronic illness management interventions need to focus on improving people's engagement with such activities.
Authors: Anne Rogers; Ivaylo Vassilev; Maria J Jesús Pumar; Elka Todorova; Mari Carmen Portillo; Christina Foss; Jan Koetsenruijter; Nikoleta Ratsika; Manuel Serrano; Ingrid A Ruud Knutsen; Michel Wensing; Poli Roukova; Evridiki Patelarou; Anne Kennedy; Christos Lionis Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2015-07-08 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Ivaylo Vassilev; Anne Rogers; Anne Kennedy; Michel Wensing; Jan Koetsenruijter; Rosanna Orlando; Maria Carmen Portillo; David Culliford Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-08-18 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Micky Scharn; Karen Oude Hengel; Cécile R L Boot; Alex Burdorf; Merel Schuring; Allard J van der Beek; Suzan J W Robroek Journal: J Epidemiol Community Health Date: 2018-11-26 Impact factor: 3.710