Although it is critical to identify causal relationships between income and health to develop an effective social welfare policy, very little is known about the causal relationships among individuals with disabilities. In order to address the gaps, th...
Although it is critical to identify causal relationships between income and health to develop an effective social welfare policy, very little is known about the causal relationships among individuals with disabilities. In order to address the gaps, the current study tested two competitive hypotheses of social causation and social selection involving individuals with disabilities. It further examined whether the causal relationships of those aged 65 and over differ from that of 65 or less. The study used first (year of 2008) and second (year of 2011) wave of the Survey on Individuals with Disabilities that performed as a part of the Korean Welfare Panel Study. Sample included adult individuals with disabilities aged 19 and over (376 aged 65 and over; 479 aged 65 or less). Using a Structural Equation Modeling, Autoregressive Cross-lagged Model was performed. Major findings are as follows. (1) Social causation hypothesis explaining income influences health was supported for the total sample. (2) Social selection hypothesis explaining health influences income was not supported. (3) There was no age differences in the effects size of income influencing health. (4) However, there was significant age differences in the effects size of health influencing income. Based on the results, future directions of social welfare policy and services for individuals with disabilities and implications were discussed.