1200.0.55.001 - Disability Variables, 2006  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 03/10/2006  First Issue
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Contents >> SEVERITY OF DISABILITY >> Collection Methods

COLLECTION METHODS


STANDARD QUESTION MODULES

24. The method of obtaining data on 'Severity of disability' is by direct question. In some circumstances it may be necessary to collect responses from a proxy for the interview subject, for example from a parent answering for a child. Derivation procedures are then applied to the responses to the questions in order to classify the responses to the categories of the classification. The standard questions for this variable are as follows.

Interviewer-based collections

25. Interviewer-based collections (such as the GSS) use the Disability Module. A series of questions is used first to determine the presence or absence of various health conditions, impairments, limitations or restrictions (Questions 1-4). Subsequent questions on the respondent's need for assistance (Questions 6-8), and the respondent's possible use of aids (Question 9), follow. If the respondent is aged less than 65 years, two further questions relating to difficulties with education and employment (Questions 11-12) are asked. As the questions on the presence of individual health conditions allow for multiple responses to be provided, the Disability Module does not allow the separate identification of the individual conditions for which the severity is ascertained. The standard question module is as follows:


Q1I would now like to ask about any conditions you may have, that have lasted, or are likely to last, for six months or more.
Interviewer: Show Prompt card 1
Do you have any of these conditions?
YesGo to Q2
NoGo to Q3
Prompt card 1:

10 - Sight problems not corrected by glasses or contact lenses
11 - Hearing problems
12 - Speech problems
13 - Blackouts, fits or loss of consciousness
14 - Difficulty learning or understanding things
15 - Limited use of arms or fingers
16 - Difficulty gripping things
17 - Limited use of legs or feet
18 - Any condition that restricts physical activity or physical work (e.g. back problems, migraines)
19 - Any disfigurement or deformity
20 - Any mental illness for which help or supervision is required



Q2Which ones?
Interviewer: Show Prompt card 1
The responses are:
10 - Sight problems not corrected by glasses or contact lensesGo to Q3
11 - Hearing problemsGo to Q3
12 - Speech problemsGo to Q3
13 - Blackouts, fits or loss of consciousnessGo to Q3
14 - Difficulty learning or understanding thingsGo to Q3
15 - Limited use of arms or fingersGo to Q3
16 - Difficulty gripping thingsGo to Q3
17 - Limited use of legs or feetGo to Q3
18 - Any condition that restricts physical activity or physical work (e.g. back problems, migraines)Go to Q3
19 - Any disfigurement or deformityGo to Q3
20 - Any mental illness for which help or supervision is requiredGo to Q3

Q3Still thinking of conditions lasting 6 months or more, are you restricted in everyday activities by any of these?
Interviewer: Show Prompt card 2
YesGo to Q4
NoGo to Q5
Prompt card 2:

1 - Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
2 - Chronic or recurring pain
3 - A nervous or emotional condition
4 - Long term effects as a result of a head injury, stroke or other brain damage
5 - Any other long term condition that requires treatment or medication
6 - Any other long term condition such as arthritis, asthma, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, dementia etc.



Q4Which ones?
Interviewer: Show Prompt card 2
More than one response is allowed:
1 - Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathingGo to Q5
2 - Chronic or recurring painGo to Q5
3 - A nervous or emotional conditionGo to Q5
4 - Long term effects as a result of a head injury, stroke or other brain damageGo to Q5
5 - Any other long term condition that requires treatment or medicationGo to Q5
6 - Any other long term condition such as arthritis, asthma, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, dementia etc.Go to Q5

Q5Sequence guide:
If no conditions or restrictions reported (Q1 = No and Q3 = No)End
ElseQ6


26. The module ends here if the respondent answers No to both Q1 and Q3. Otherwise it continues as follows:


Q6Because of the [condition/conditions] you have told me about, do you ever need help or supervision with any of these tasks?
Interviewer: Show Prompt card 3
YesGo to Q7
NoGo to Q8
Prompt card 3:

Self-care
For example:
- Bathing / showering
- Dressing / undressing
- Eating / feeding
- Going to toilet
- Bladder / bowel control
Mobility
For example:
- Moving around away from home
- Moving around at home
- Getting in or out of a bed or chair
Communication in own language
For example:
- Understanding / being understood by strangers, friends or family, including use of sign language / lip reading

Q7Do you always need help with any of these tasks?
Interviewer: Show Prompt card 3
YesGo to Q10
NoGo to Q10


Q8Because of the [condition/conditions] you have told me about, do you ever have difficulty with any of these tasks?
Interviewer: Show Prompt card 3
YesGo to Q10
NoGo to Q9

Q9Even though you can do these self-care, mobility and communication tasks without difficulty, do you use any aids to assist with these tasks?
YesGo to Q10
NoGo to Q10

Q10Sequence guide:
If age less than 65 (age <65)Q11
ElseEnd


27. If the respondent is aged 65 years or more, the module ends after Q9. If the respondent is aged less than 65 years, two further questions are asked on difficulties with education and employment.

Q11Because of the [condition/conditions] you have told me about, do you have any difficulties with education such as these?
Interviewer: Show Prompt card 4
YesGo to Q12
NoGo to Q12
Prompt card 4:

Examples of difficulties with education
- not attending school/further study due to condition
- need time off school/study
- attend special classes/school
- other related difficulties

Q12Because of the [condition/conditions] you have told me about, do you have any difficulties with employment such as these?
Interviewer: Show Prompt card 5
YesEnd
NoEnd
Prompt card 5:

Examples of difficulties with employment
- type of job could do
- number of hours that can be worked
- finding suitable work
- needing time off work
- permanently unable to work



Self-completed collections

28. There is no standard question module for self-completed collections for 'Severity of disability'.

Administrative Collections

29. There is no standard question module for administrative collections for 'Severity of disability'.


STANDARD INPUT CATEGORIES

30. The standard input categories for 'Severity of disability' are the same as the 7 base level categories of the 'Severity of disability' classification and also include the supplementary category, 'Not stated':

Profound core activity limitation
Severe core activity limitation
Moderate core activity limitation
Mild core activity limitation
Education/employment restriction only
No specific limitation or restriction
No disability or long-term health condition



DERIVATION PROCEDURES

31. The derivation process applied to the interviewer-based collection module allows output to the seven base levels of the classification. To categorise data to each of the levels, a series of determinations are made. Because of the sequencing of questions, not all respondents are asked every question. However, the following instructions encompass all possible response combinations. Note that Q6 and subsequent questions are only asked if the respondent has answered 'Yes' to at least one of Q1 or Q3:
  • 'Yes' to Q7 (Do you always need help with any of these tasks?)
    = 1111 Profound core activity limitation
  • 'No' to Q7 (Do you always need help with any of these tasks?)
    = 1112 Severe core activity limitation
  • 'Yes' to Q8 (Because of the [condition/conditions] you have told me about, do you ever have difficulty with any of these tasks?)
    = 1113 Moderate core activity limitation
  • 'Yes' to Q9 (Even though you can do these ... tasks without difficulty, do you use any aids to assist with these tasks?)
    = Mild core activity limitation
  • 'Yes' to Q11 (Education restriction) and 'No' to Q8 (difficulty with tasks) and 'No' to Q9 (use of aids), and the person is aged 18-20 years;
OR
  • 'Yes' to Q12 (Employment restriction) and 'No' to Q8 (difficulty with tasks) and 'No' to Q9 (use of aids)
    = 112 Education/employment restriction only
  • 'No' to Q9 (use of aids) and 'No' to Q11 (Education restriction) and 'No' to Q12 (Employment restriction)
OR
  • 'No' to Q9 (use of aids) and the person is aged 65 years or more
OR
  • 'No' to Q9 (use of aids) and 'Yes' to Q11 (Education restriction) and the person is aged 21-64 years and 'No' to Q12 (Employment restriction)
    = 12 No specific limitation or restriction
  • 'No' to Q1 (Do you have any of these conditions?) and 'No' to Q3 (Still thinking of conditions lasting 6 months or more, are you restricted in everyday activities by any of these?)
    = 2 No disability or long-term health condition


EDITING PROCEDURES

32. The Disability Module uses responses to a question on 'Age' to determine if questions Q11 and Q12 on education and employment restrictions are asked. If the respondent is aged 65 years or more the questions are not asked.

33. In order for a classification code of 112 Education/employment restriction only to be allocated, if the respondent reports no employment restriction but does report an education restriction, the respondent must be aged 5-20 years (the age range may vary according to the scope of the collection). If the respondent is not aged within the specified range for the particular collection no restriction is recorded. This edit is applied where necessary during processing.




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