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Psychosocial factors affecting adults with intellectual disabilities with psychiatric disorders in Cali, Colombia
- Authors:
- VERDUGO Miguel Angel, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 6(3), September 2009, pp.173-179.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The objective of this study was to describe the psychosocial factors associated with the comorbidity between intellectual disability (ID) and psychiatric disorder of adults in the city of Cali, Colombia. Subjects were 50 dyads consisting of a carer and a person with ID. The Caregivers Questionnaire and the Integral Quality of Life Scale were adapted for use in the study. The analysis of information was based on three factors: person, family, and society. In the case of the personal factor, an adequate level of physical well-being and a good level of self-care were found in more than 60% of the adults with dual diagnosis, good adherence to treatment in 82%, and medium satisfaction in the individual-context relationship in 54%. With regard to the family factor, a high level of satisfaction of needs (84%) was found. Good family functioning was observed in 86%, while family participation in rehabilitation was reported to be between moderate and deficient in 60% of the cases. With respect to the social factor, cases of support between moderate and deficient were found in 68%, and a regular inclusion was observed in 48%. The authors conclude that the family functioning aspect appeared as the major protective factor, while the inclusion and social support were shown as the main risk factors.
Direct support professionals and reversed integration of people with intellectual disabilities: impact of attitudes, perceived social norms, and meta-evaluations
- Authors:
- VENEMA Eleonora, OTTEN Sabine, VALSKAMP Carla
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 13(1), 2016, pp.41-49.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Direct support professionals (DSPs) play an important role in the process of integration of people with intellectual disabilities. Nevertheless, little is currently known about what determines the level of effort exerted by DSPs to enable the social integration of their clients. The aim of this study was to investigate three different psychological determinants (attitudes, social norms, and meta-evaluations) of the behavioural intentions of DSPs to facilitate the social integration of their clients. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 DSPs working in a setting of 'reversed integration,' as well as 25 family members and 25 neighbours. The DSPs’ perceived social norms and meta-evaluations of neighbours and family members were compared with their actual social norms and evaluations. The authors found that half of the DSPs interviewed were positive about integration, whereas the other half were negative or neutral. Concerning social norms, the DSPs expect neighbours to have neutral attitudes toward the integration of people with intellectual disabilities, while in reality the neighbours are very positive. More than half of the DSPs were uncertain about the family members’ opinions about integration. Asking the family members themselves, there was some variation in their attitudes toward integration. Regarding the meta-evaluation, DSPs had a realistic idea about how their work would be evaluated by family members and neighbours; both groups were positive. It is evident that this group of DSPs had an overly negative idea of neighbours' opinions about integration and contact with people with intellectual disabilities. Creating awareness of a supportive social norm in the neighbourhood could help and encourage DSPs to strive for social contact between their clients and neighbours. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social capital through workplace connections: opportunities for workers with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- HALL Allison Cohen, KRAMER John
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work in Disability and Rehabilitation, 8(3-4), July 2009, pp.146-170.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Disability research now emphasises community participation, inclusion, and integration, with recent thinking shifting away from formal support systems to community support. This qualitative study examined the experiences of individuals with intellectual disabilities in sheltered workshops and compared them to those in community employment. In particular, the study investigated how employment affects opportunities for the creation of social capital, with social capital referring to relationships between individuals and benefits and resources that are mutually produced from those relationships. Primary respondents were twenty nine individuals with intellectual disability, and secondary respondents were twenty three family members and twenty nine employment services staff. Findings revealed that a form of social capital was created through workplace connections. Community employment did not increase social capital per se, but it did produce social opportunities not available in the workshop. The authors note that the role of family members emerged as critical in the support of community employment and its potential for social capital development.
Having faith in inclusion
- Author:
- VALLANCE Pam
- Journal article citation:
- Viewpoint, 115, March 2010, pp.24-25.
- Publisher:
- Mencap/Gateway
There are approximately 5,000 Jewish people with a learning disability in the UK. This article describes how the Judith Trust is championing inclusion within Judaism and other religions, by encouraging Jewish organisations to reconsider how they welcome people with a learning disability and their families and carers. The author acknowledges the barriers to such inclusion, noting that some believe that people with a learning disability cannot participate fully in Jewish spiritual life, as they will not understand the sermons within the synagogue. The author suggests people with such disabilities should be given the chance to try, and, if a task proves too difficult, to think creatively about how to adopt it so the goal can be achieved. This year, the central focus of the campaign was asking synagogues across the UK to hold a ‘day of inclusion’, or an inclusion Shabbat. While the campaign if currently London based, it is hoped that it can be rolled out on a national level, and include other faiths.
Family responses to the social inclusion of children with developmental disabilities in the United Arab Emirates
- Author:
- CRABTREE Sara Ashencaen
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 22(1), January 2007, pp.49-62.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This paper focuses on findings from a qualitative study of care-giving Arab Muslim families of children with developmental disabilities in the United Arab Emirates. The perceptions of mothers in relation to family acceptance and social inclusion issues are explored. Parental views of existing provision are also considered with regard to existing services for children with special needs in the region. Findings indicate that, in common with other Middle Eastern countries, social stigma is prevalent and this impacts upon the disabled child as well as the mother. However, this is in turn ameliorated by the influences of religion, which constitute an example of family resilience, in addition to the strides made in social development in this region.
Paradoxes, locations and the need for social coherence: a qualitative study of living with a learning difficulty
- Authors:
- CLARKE Charlotte L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 20(4), June 2005, pp.405-419.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Policy rhetoric over recent decades has promoted social inclusion of the more vulnerable sectors of society, such as people with learning difficulties. This study aimed to describe the experiences of adults with learning difficulties in north-east England and their family and to appraise their care. Thirty-five people with a learning difficulty and/or a family member were interviewed. A model of social coherence was developed that moves beyond the self-limiting debates about social inclusion and exclusion. It is underpinned by a sense of location for the person with a disability in relation to services and carers, family and community, dependency and risk, temporality and space, events, control and society. Key recommendations are for services to know the individual and his/her family; to be responsive to individual needs; to enhance the capacity of families and communities to support people with difficulty in learning; and to help these people to feel more valued.
Safety first! The topic of safety in reversed integration of people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- VENEMA Eleonora, VLASKAMP Carla, OTTEN Sabine
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 14(2), 2017, pp.146-153.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Physical integration is believed to be a precondition for social integration. One might expect that in so-called reversed integration, where people without intellectual disabilities (ID) actively choose to live next to people with ID, conditions for physical integration are more optimal, and social integration is enhanced. If this hypothesized benefit of reversed integration settings indeed holds, however, is yet unknown. Specific aims: The aim of the present study is to examine barriers for social integration of people with intellectual disabilities (ID). In this context, the present article focuses on the role of safety and safety concerns. Method: A semi structured interview was conducted with 28 direct support professionals (DSPs), 25 family members, and 25 neighbours, aimed at their attitude toward social integration in a reversed integration neighbourhood. Several topics were dealt with, like the neighbourhood and contact between people with ID and neighbours. There were no explicit questions about safety in the interview. Findings: The topic of safety was spontaneously mentioned 90 times by 26 DSPs, 15 times by 9 neighbours, and 36 times by 18 family members. Three main themes were found in the total group of statements touching upon the issue of safety: environmental aspects, client characteristics, and working conditions. The most often mentioned sub-themes were the openness of the neighbourhood and the traffic. Discussion: In reversed integration, safety is still a highly relevant topic and of great concern for the DSPs and the family members. DSPs are more concerned with controlling risks and keeping everybody safe than looking at the opportunities the new environment offers, like enhancing social integration. (Edited publisher abstract)
Circles of support and personalisation: exploring the economic case
- Authors:
- PERKINS Margaret, et al
- Publisher:
- London School of Economics and Political Science. Personal Social Services Research Unit
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 17
- Place of publication:
- London
This small-scale study examines the economic case for Circles of Support as way of enabling people with disabilities to live a good life in the community and have greater choice and autonomy in meeting their needs. It also looks at the ways in which Circles have been used, they type of support they can provide, the outcomes achieved and costs incurred. The research was conducted as part of a wider study to assess the economic case for community capacity-building initiatives. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with Circle members: the person with disabilities (where possible), a primary informant (usually a parent) and another Circle member to find out how and why the Circle was set up and how it supported the person with disabilities to have as full and independent life as possible in the community. Circle facilitators were also interviewed to understand their role in providing the planning tools to enable the Circle to best support the person with disabilities. Quantitative data on recent health and social care service use were collected to develop ‘economic pen pictures’ of the five Circles. Informants considered the Circle had impacted positively on the individual’s quality of life. Circles supported care packages which appeared to provide successful alternatives to residential care. Commissioners may wish to explore further how Circles can be an additional approach to personalisation to support people with disabilities to live as independently as possible in the community. (Edited publisher abstract)
Talking to families: listening to families
- Editors:
- CARPENTER Barry, (ed.)
- Publisher:
- Sunfield
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- loose leaf
- Place of publication:
- Clent
This collection of 11 papers looks at the development of children with learning disabilities. It looks at what makes effective intervention in ensuring that families are confident and expert partners in their child’s development. The collection explores the personal and emotional experiences of disability within families, the unique interpersonal relationships developed between parents and professionals and highlight barriers which could impede these relationships. Among topics discussed are the development of critical frameworks for families of children with disabilities, shifting the focus from parent to family partnerships, sustaining the family by meeting their needs, the case for early intervention as a first step to social inclusion, the importance of fatherhood, family-centred training, marketing in special education and more family-centred approaches, in general.
Circles of support and mutual caring
- Author:
- TOWERS Christine
- Publisher:
- Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 5p.
- Place of publication:
- London
A number of people with learning disabilities are providing regular and substantial care for their ageing relatives. In many cases, neither person would be able to remain living independently without this support. This is known as mutual caring. This booklet is aimed at workers and other people who know these families. The aim is to encourage people to think about the importance of support networks for these families and to develop Circles of Support to improve these. A Circle of Support is a group of family, friends and supportive workers who come together to give support and friendship to a person. The booklet describes: why Circles of Support are a good idea for older families where there is mutual caring; how Circles of Support can make a difference to older families where people are supporting each other; and 10 steps to setting up a Circle of Support. It also describes a case study of how a Circle of Support is helping a mother and daughter make choices and changes.