Page 64 - Social networks of people with mild intellectual disabilities: characteristics and interventions

Chapter 3
3.4 Discussion
In this study, we investigated the satisfaction of persons with mild ID with their social networks and their wishes with regard to such. We then investigated the relation of their satisfaction and reported QOL to the specific structural and functional characteristics of their social networks.
The vast majority of the participants in our study (73.1%) were satisfied with their social networks. This finding is in line with the results of previous research showing high percentages of adults with ID to have mildly positive to very positive levels of satisfaction with their friendships and relationships (68%) and support received (81%) (Gregory et al., 2001). Cummins (1995) found that life-satisfaction/SWB scores are 75 ± 2.7% of the Scale Maximum (SM) for both individuals with as without ID1. This can be explained by psychological, homeostatic mechanisms that maintain the average level of life satisfaction on a certain level (Cummins, 1995, 2005). Under relatively stable but diverse living conditions, most people feel satisfied with their lives (Cummins, 1995). The mean satisfaction score in the present study, 76.3% SM, is in line with this finding; the mean QOL score, 66.3% SM, is below this standard score.
With regard to the wishes expressed by the participants in connection with their social networks, only one indicated a need or desire to expand the network. The participants mentioned, rather, a desire to strengthen existing ties and in particular: (a) better contact, especially with acquaintances and professionals; (b) better social skills, specifically in contact with acquaintances; and (c) more frequent contact, especially with family. However, in previous research (van Asselt-Goverts et al., 2013), it was found that these same participants already had a high frequency of contact with relatives (e.g. twice a week with parents, once a week with siblings and every other week with other family).
The participants’ perceived QOL related most to the functional characteristics of their social networks, which is in line with the findings of previous research showing an association between perceived support and subjective QOL (Bramston et al., 2005; Lunsky & Benson, 2001; Miller & Chan, 2008; Stenfert Kroese et al., 2002). Our results provide more detailed insight into the perceived support and show affection to relate most strongly to perceived QOL. Specifically, affection assigned to family and professionals is of special importance to young adults with mild ID. Our previous research also showed
1 The % SM is defined by Cummins (1995) as: (score − 1) × 100/(number of scale points − 1).
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