Disablement and the social context of daily activity.

This paper presents a discussion of current approaches to assessment of disablement in the light of findings from a study of people with rheumatoid arthritis. It begins with a critical evaluation of the assumptions underlying assessment of activities of daily living and notes recent attempts to broaden these to incorporate some understanding of social roles. Material from an in-depth study of people with rheumatoid arthritis is then used to illustrate the dynamics of social role relationships and their reciprocal relationship to disablement. Particular attention is given to gender differences in role responsibilities and the way in which these affect the expectations that are placed upon people with chronic illness.