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The
Life Course and Health
Research Center
at
Florida International University
Official Title: Physical Disability, Mental Health and Drug Abuse
Largely as a consequence of the aging of the population, rates of physical disability have risen significantly over the decade of the 90’s and substantial additional increases are projected. As of 1992 more than 10% of Americans 18 to 64 years of age and more than 23% of those 65 and older were experiencing significant activity limitations. Despite the current and anticipated burden of physical disability in the population, very little is known about the significance of such disability with respect to substance abuse or mental health problems. The most general goals of the proposed study are to assess lifetime and current substance use, abuse and dependence, and the lifetime and recent occurrence of psychiatric disorders, as they vary with the presence and severity of physical disability, and to identify potentially modifiable risk and protective factors associated with these outcomes, within and across the presence and/or severity of disability. Only such information can provide a rational basis for estimating the nature and degree of intervention need associated with physical disability and for identifying promising intervention targets. It is also crucial to understand ethnic/racial differences in substance/mental health risk associated with disability and in factors associated with degree of risk. With emphasis on the unique and understudied Hispanic population found in South Florida, this also represents one of the general goals of the proposed study. A two-wave panel study is proposed of representative community residing samples of Cuban (25%), other Hispanic (25%), African American (25%), and non-Hispanic white (25%) persons, 18 years of age and older, with activity limitations deriving from physical causes (n = 1200), and of their age, sex, ethnicity/race, and area of residence counterparts without physical disabilities (n = 1200).
The Physical Challenge and Health Study (Official name:Physical Disability, Mental Health and Drug Use) is a five-year study supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It follows individuals with and without physical limitations and looks at factors associated with personal and emotional well-being across the life course. This study will contribute to scientific knowledge about these important issues that can be used by health care workers, policy makers, and prevention programs.
Based on current population trends, disability rates are expected to increase over the next 30 years. However, much is still unknown about how social stress and physical disability affect quality of life. This study examines issues associated with health and well-being among both physically disabled and nondisabled persons. Findings from this investigation will provide important information for health care workers, policy makers, and prevention programs.
Specifically,
this study examines:
The effects of social stress on physical health, emotional well-being, and substance use problems.
Factors that promote psychological resilience to social stress.
Factors associated with increased risk for drug use and mental health problems.
Variations in such factors and effects across the life course and the presence versus absence of physical disability.
2,400 men and women living in Dade County, Florida, half of whom experience some form of activity limitation.
These individuals will be chosen to reflect the cultural and social diversity of South Florida’s population.
HOW WILL THIS STUDY BE CONDUCTED?
Using scientific sampling procedures, 10,000 households are screened to determine the location of persons with and without physical limitations.
1,200 men and women with disabilities and 1,200 men and women without disabilities living in Dade County, Florida are randomly selected to participate.
Letters are then sent explaining the study to these randomly selected individuals.
Telephone calls are employed to invite participation.
Those who agree are scheduled for a completely confidential interview in their homes or at another location of their choice.
At the conclusion of the interview, participants receive $25 as a token of appreciation.
WHAT KINDS OF QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED?
Physical health and well-being.
The experience of potentially stressful events and circumstances.
Sources of strength and support.
Relationships with important others including spouse, family and friends.
Substance use.
Mental health.
Culture and ethnicity.
HOW WILL THIS INFORMATION BE COLLECTED?
Computer assisted personal interviews, lasting about 2 hours.
Interviews will be conducted in a private, convenient setting; all answers will remain completely confidential.
Study participants will be interviewed again after two-years.