SOCIAL WELL-BEING DYNAMICS AMONG THE DISABLED: CONCERNS AND HOPES

The aim of this paper is to analyze social well-being dynamics among the disabled. Analysis is based on data from the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey - Higher School of Economics (RLMS-HSE). The study shows that life satisfaction among the handicapped remains poor and shows signs of instability. It's worth noting that a high level of dissatisfaction with the material aspect of life among the disabled is combined with an even higher degree of discontent with the existing opportunities for fulfilling their life strategies. For a long time emotional state of the disabled has been characterized by an acute state of concern, pessimism and uncertainty about the future. Despite having relatives, friends and acquaintances, many of them feel loneliness and a lack of attention. Given the complicated economic situation, we can clearly see a growing demand among handicapped citizens for increased social support. At the same time one factor which seriously benefits the social well-being of elderly disabled persons happens to be the opportunity to partake in labor activity. The dynamics of health status, as self-evaluated by the disabled -this being a crucial characteristic of social well-being - has maintained a low level and a varying direction. Certain sensitive issues for the disabled such as availability and quality of healthcare service and medicine provision - including preferential provision - are still very much a serious concern.