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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:

Q1	I 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?
				Yes	Go to Q2
				No	Go to Q3

Q2	Which ones?
	Interviewer: Show Prompt card 1
	The responses are:
	10 - Sight problems not corrected by glasses or contact lenses			Go to Q3
	11 - Hearing problems			Go to Q3
	12 - Speech problems			Go to Q3
	13 - Blackouts, fits or loss of consciousness			Go to Q3
	14 - Difficulty learning or understanding things			Go to Q3
	15 - Limited use of arms or fingers			Go to Q3
	16 - Difficulty gripping things			Go to Q3
	17 - Limited use of legs or feet			Go to Q3
	18 - Any condition that restricts physical activity or physical work (e.g. back problems, migraines)			Go to Q3
	19 - Any disfigurement or deformity			Go to Q3
	20 - Any mental illness for which help or supervision is required			Go to Q3

Q3	Still thinking of conditions lasting 6 months or more, are you restricted in everyday activities by any of these?
	Interviewer: Show Prompt card 2
				Yes	Go to Q4
				No	Go to Q5

Q4	Which ones?
	Interviewer: Show Prompt card 2
	More than one response is allowed:
	1 - Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing			Go to Q5
	2 - Chronic or recurring pain			Go to Q5
	3 - A nervous or emotional condition			Go to Q5
	4 - Long term effects as a result of a head injury, stroke or other brain damage			Go to Q5
	5 - Any other long term condition that requires treatment or medication			Go to Q5
	6 - Any other long term condition such as arthritis, asthma, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, dementia etc.			Go to Q5

Q5	Sequence guide:
	If no conditions or restrictions reported (Q1 = No and Q3 = No)	End
	Else	Q6

Q6	Because 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
				Yes	Go to Q7
				No	Go to Q8

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

Q7	Do you always need help with any of these tasks?
	Interviewer: Show Prompt card 3
				Yes	Go to Q10
				No	Go to Q10

Q8	Because of the [condition/conditions] you have told me about, do you ever have difficulty with any of these tasks?
	Interviewer: Show Prompt card 3
				Yes	Go to Q10
				No	Go to Q9

Q9	Even though you can do these self-care, mobility and communication tasks without difficulty, do you use any aids to assist with these tasks?
				Yes	Go to Q10
				No	Go to Q10

Q10	Sequence guide:
	If age less than 65 (age <65)	Q11
	Else	End

Q11	Because of the [condition/conditions] you have told me about, do you have any difficulties with education such as these?
	Interviewer: Show Prompt card 4
				Yes	Go to Q12
				No	Go to Q12

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

Q12	Because of the [condition/conditions] you have told me about, do you have any difficulties with employment such as these?
	Interviewer: Show Prompt card 5
				Yes	End
				No	End

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

• '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;

• '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)

• 'No' to Q9 (use of aids) and the person is aged 65 years or more

• '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