An empirical exploration of the relations between the health components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relations between the ICF components from a subjective perspective. Method: Data on health condition and perceived functioning were collected among 2941 individuals with at least one chronic disease or disorder. Path analysis was used with perceived level of participation as the final denominator. Three models were tested: one with the number of chronic diseases and disorders as an indicator of health condition, one with perceived health as indicator of health condition, and one with perceived health as part of the personal factors. Results: Although all models showed a good fit, the model with the best fit was that with perceived health as an indicator of health condition. Conclusions: From a patient’s perspective, components of the ICF scheme appear to be associated with each other, with perceived health being the best indicator of the health condition.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a international accepted framework to describe human functioning from a health perspective.

• In research the ICF components are mostly operationalized using objective measures, for instance Performance tests.

• This large scale study shows that also with perceived measures and independent of a specific health condition relations between the ICF components can be found.

Keywords::

• ICF
• Health condition
• perceived health
• body functions
• activity
• participation

Declaration of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.