Social Isolation as a Determinant of Social Exclusion: Examining the Experiences of Women with Disabilities in Kohat Division, Pakistan

Abstract

This study aims to examine the mechanisms through which social isolation (independent variable), framed within the Affirmative Model of Disability, affects the extent of social exclusion experienced by women with disabilities (dependent variable) in Kohat Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A Quantitative Design using a Cross-Sectional survey approach was adopted, with a sample of 370 respondents proportionally distributed across the three districts of the division. To ensure methodological precision, the researcher coordinated with district Social Welfare Offices to identify participants. Moreover, senior oral instructors assisted during interviews with hearing and speech-impaired respondents to maintain the accuracy of structured questionnaire responses. The research concentrated on women with physical, auditory, verbal, and stature-related impairments, while participants with intellectual disabilities were excluded due to concerns regarding response reliability. Reliability was assessed via Cronbach’s Alpha Test, yielding a value of 0.87, indicating strong internal consistency. Chi-Square (χ²) statistics were applied to examine the bivariate relationship between social isolation and social exclusion. Additionally, Kendall’s Tau-b (Tb) statistics evaluated potential spurious or non-spurious associations in a multivariate framework. The results revealed a significant relationship between social isolation and social exclusion (χ² = 13.073, P = 0.000, Tb = 0.188), indicating that greater isolation exacerbates exclusionary experiences, particularly among older women. Interpreted through the Affirmative Model, the findings highlight that marginalization stems not from impairments but from social, attitudinal, and structural inadequacies. The study advocates for enhanced community awareness, strengthened institutional frameworks, and socially inclusive interventions to mitigate persistent patterns of exclusion affecting women with disabilities.