Page 55 - Social networks of people with mild intellectual disabilities: characteristics and interventions

Network Characteristics, Satisfaction, Wishes and Quality of Life
research on social networks and SWB from the perspective of the persons with ID themselves is sparse (Emerson & Hatton, 2008) and systematic investigation of the characteristics of their social networks in relation to their perceived QOL is lacking. A second aim of this study was therefore to examine the social networks of people with ID more thoroughly in relation to their satisfaction with the networks and perceived QOL, by considering both the structural and functional characteristics of the social networks and distinguishing specific groups of people in the network (i.e. family, acquaintances, professionals). In doing this, we posed the following research questions:
1. How satisfied are young adults with mild ID with their social networks? 3
2. What are the wishes of young adults with mild ID with respect to
their social networks?
3. Is there a relation between the structural and functional characteristics
of the social networks of young adults with mild ID, on the one hand, and their satisfaction with the social network and perceived QOL, on the other hand?
3.2 Method
3.2.1 Participants
Clients from seven care organizations, located in the south-east of the Netherlands, participated in this research. All organizations provided both residential and ambulant support for people with ID. Participants had to meet the following inclusion criteria: (a) a mild to borderline ID; (b) age between 19 and 36 years; and (c) independent residence in the community for at least 2 years (i.e. with partner, friend, children or alone). Persons with ID but living in a residential facility were thus excluded from the present study, which started with an accidental sample of 38 participants. To obtain a sufficient large sample, all persons who met the inclusion criteria and who were willing to participate in the study were approached. One person could not be reached; another cancelled the appointment and another three participants could not be included in the analyses in the end because of incomplete data. A total of 33 participants, who all provided written informed consent, participated in this study; 16 men and 17 women. The number of participants per care organization varied from two to seven. All participants received support from staff from
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