Social Vulnerability describes those aspects of a person's living conditions that make the person more likely to have a negative outcome if problems arise. The fewer resources that a person has the less s/he is able to cope when adversity strikes.
|
Parameter |
Protected |
Vulnerable |
|
ability to communicate |
high |
limited or unable |
|
living situation and marital status |
rich |
alone and single |
|
close and nurturing relationships |
high |
none |
|
social support from relatives |
high |
none |
|
social support from friends, neighbors and confidants |
high |
none |
|
other sources of social support |
high |
none |
|
means of communication |
readily available and rich |
inaccessible and poor |
|
access to transportation and resources |
high |
limited or none |
|
engagement in leisure activities |
high |
low |
|
feelings of being in control of life issues |
high |
low |
|
feelings about life |
positive in all or most |
negative about all or most |
|
socio-economic status and education |
high |
low |
|
economic resources |
abundant |
limited or none |
|
sense of security |
high |
low |
|
environment |
safe and enjoyable |
dangerous and unpleasant |
Instruments used to measure social vulnerability are available with the:
(1) Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA)
(2) National Population Health Survey (NPHS)
ICD-10: ,
