Page 59 - Social networks of people with mild intellectual disabilities: characteristics and interventions

Network Characteristics, Satisfaction, Wishes and Quality of Life
3.2.4 Data analysis
The data were processed and analyzed using SPSS. To map the social networks
of the participants, both the total network and different groups within the
network were analyzed: family (i.e. partner, children, parents, brothers/sisters
and other family members); acquaintances (i.e. friends, colleagues, neighbours
and other acquaintances) and professionals. Network members were included
in the analyses when they were over the age of 12 years. With respect to wishes,
the first expressed wish was coded and subcategorized further. Decisions concerning the coding and sub-categorization of the wishes were discussed
among the three researchers in the research group. 3
In the analyses several steps were undertaken. First, we determined the satisfaction of people with ID with their current social networks and their wishes with regard to such. Percentages were calculated for this purpose. Second, we examined the associations between characteristics of the social network, on the one hand, and satisfaction with the social network and perceived QOL, on the other hand. We calculated mean scores with regard to the following for this purpose: (a) structural characteristics, namely size of the social network, frequency of contact, length of the relationships, accessibility of network members (mean % living in same town); (b) functional characteristics (i.e. affection, connection, preference and practical/informational support); and (c) satisfaction with the social network and QOL. Satisfaction with the social network was calculated as the mean of the items for satisfaction with family, satisfaction with acquaintances and satisfaction with professionals. Third, Pearson correlations were calculated for the structural and functional characteristics of the social network, on the one hand, with satisfaction and QOL, on the other hand. To limit the number of statistical tests, scores for the total network were analyzed first. If the Pearson correlation for one of the characteristics of the social network characteristics with either satisfaction or QOL proved significant, then additional correlations were calculated to determine which group of network members was of primary importance (i.e. family, acquaintances or professionals).
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