Perceived interpersonal and institutional discrimination among persons with disability in the U.S.: Do patterns...

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Gerontology

Background:

• One-third of U.S. adults face activity-limiting health conditions, with prevalence increasing by age.
• Existing theories suggest disability may be more stigmatizing for younger individuals compared to older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess if functional impairment is linked to increased interpersonal mistreatment and institutional discrimination.
• To determine if this vulnerability varies across different age groups.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS II).
• Employed Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and logistic regression models for analysis.
• Analyzed data from 3931 participants surveyed between 2004 and 2006.

Main Results:

• Individuals with functional impairment reported higher instances of disrespectful treatment and insults.
• Elevated odds of workplace and service discrimination were observed in those with impairments.
• The impact of impairment on discrimination was more pronounced in early (40-49) and late (50-64) midlife compared to older adults (65+).

Conclusions:

• Stigmatization due to functional limitations can exacerbate existing health and socioeconomic disparities.
• Findings highlight the need for policies and practices to mitigate discrimination against individuals with disabilities.