This working paper presents the findings and conclusions from a joint Ministry of Social Development and Victoria University of Wellington research project that sought to uncover insights about the subjective points of view of Sickness and Invalids' Benefit clients on wellbeing, employment and independence. This research project also sought to clarify and synthesise the complex world views of the client population.
The research uses Q methodology, a distinct approach characterised by a set of principles and techniques that are useful for studying "subjectivity" - an individual's perspective or world view on any matter of personal or social importance.
Key Results
Conventional expectations hold that beneficiaries’ views would either mirror government’s basic premise, which associates wellbeing with economic (ideally work-based) independence, or reflect disgruntlement and resistance to that premise. However, the research findings point to five different, very distinct, sets of views.
One positive point of view (named for reference as “sense of being ready to work”) and one negative (“sense of being a victim of stigma”) are oriented by role identities. Two other views, again one positive (“sense of gratitude for the benefit system”) and one negative (“sense of being entitled to support”), show a situation-response orientation. The fifth view conveys a “let’s get on with it” pragmatism (“sense of being pragmatically hopeful”), which celebrates a person’s constrained capability, without hints of either grievance or contentment.
The five different world views amongst SB/IB clients are described as follows.
- Group 1, “sense of being entitled to support”: a negative situation-response orientation in which the participants’ views converge around clients’ sense of being “deserving” or of claiming “rights” that are coupled with their status as SB/IB clients. Their level of wellbeing reflects unmet requirements and expectations, and they feel constrained by “the system”. Overall, this is an unhappy or negative view that bears a personalised sense of disgruntlement about circumstances and the role of benefits in their lives.
- Group 2, “sense of being ready to work”: a positive role-identity orientation in which the views converge around the value of work, with work appearing to be more important than being on the benefit. The value of work is understood as being about more than pay. Work contributes to a sense of freedom and identity. A strong work ethic appears in contrast to the “sense of entitlement” view of having a right to benefit support.
- Group 3, “sense of gratitude for the benefit system”: a positive situation-response orientation in which the views identify that benefits are very important for providing a pathway to independence. The benefit system has a value because it provides this pathway. The view captures a sense of gratitude for the work of case managers and for the system being flexible enough to facilitate change.
- Goup 4, “sense of being a victim of stigma”: a negative role-identity orientation in which a complex set of views reflect the idea that “society” treats invalids and people with disability or sickness badly and that the struggle to achieve is against the odds of stigma and discrimination. The view suggests a sense of shame standing between the person and their need to be part of society. Stigmatisation has an adverse effect on social networks. Participants are oriented to the benefit system and tend to feel negatively towards any expectation that they should work, even as they express a strong interest in working. They sense what they are missing acutely.
- Group 5, “sense of being pragmatically hopeful”: a “let’s get on with it” pragmatism, which celebrates a person’s constrained capability, without hints of either grievance or contentment. This is a less distinct group view that suggests that money has value both to fund training and to convey a sense of self-worth. Sickness or disability is seen more as a hurdle that needs to be overcome than as a source of either rights or stigma. The view points to a strong sense of achievement – even of celebration of capability despite limitations. The benefit system is seen to be helpful for people, particularly in dealing with the “stuff” that sickness or disability generates, but is not a major requirement for wellbeing.