The impact of successive revisions, in particular the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th revisions of Swiss Disability Insurance (DI), on insured persons and their access to benefits has, according to our study, led to several paradoxical developments. The expenditure reduction targeted by these three revisions to consolidate the DI budget has been achieved, however, this is primarily due to the tightening of eligibility criteria and the abolition of certain benefits. While assessment procedures of benefit claims have been significantly reduced, our study shows that the reduction in the number of pensions granted by DI is mainly due to an increased rate of refusals. Access to vocational rehabilitation measures have increased, albeit only modestly.

Another paradoxical effect: whereas the revisions targeted in particular the rising rate of young DI recipients, our study shows that their share has not decreased. Conversely, access to benefits has been significantly reduced for older insured people, however, without any significant increase in their access to vocational rehabilitation which is mainly granted to people aged 18 to 35 years.

In addition, our analysis shows the reinforcement of strong inequalities between people requesting DI for somatic and/or psychological reasons, while the number of people whose impairment is not recognised by DI has been increasing.

Lastly, biographical interviews conducted with DI recipients show that the reforms had a disincentivising effect as a result notably of the new DI tools to combat “abuse”, which tend to increase the risk of non-take-up of DI. Finally, there remains the open question about the situation of those who do not take-up their rights to DI and the future of the increasing number of people whose application DI denies.

Read the full version "Rehabilitation before pension? A longitudinal study sheds light on Swiss disability insurance reforms"

Since the beginning of the 2000s, an approved measurement of mental health has been integrated into several large scale, representative longitudinal surveys: the Short Form 12/36 Health Questionnaire (SF12/36). A common indicator derived from this questionnaire is the Mental Component Summary score (MCS). This indicator is particularly relevant for sociology, and specifically suitable for life course related research: the underlying items address mental tensions and stress - typical outcomes of social stigma and role conflict associated with critical life course transitions. Compared with standard measures of well-being and life satisfaction, MCS shows a curbed short-term impact of critical life events on well-being. On the basis of data from the German Socio-Economic Panel study (SOEP), it also appears that MCS is not subject to the baseline effects, but rather captures enduring impacts of life course transitions.

Venue

• Monday, 21 octobre 2019 - 12:15-13:30
• University of Lausanne, Géopolis, room 5799

Pour ce "Déjeuner", la doctorante du PRN LIVES Liala Consoli fera une présentation du projet de recherche étudiant la santé des migrant·es sans papier régularisés par le projet "Papyrus" de l'Etat de Genève. 

Conférence

• Date et heure: jeudi 17 octobre 2019, 12h30-14h00
• Lieu: Uni Mail, salle M4276
• Conférencière: Liala Consoli, PRN LIVES, UNIGE - SdS
• Discutante: Myrian Carjabal, Haute école de travail social, Fribourg, HES-SO. 

Voir le programme complet des Déjeuners sociologiques.