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Comparison of the Living Conditions of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in a Swedish County and in the General Population
Author(s) -
UmbCarlsson Õie,
Sonnander Karin
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of policy and practice in intellectual disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1741-1130
pISSN - 1741-1122
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-1130.2005.00036.x
Subject(s) - intellectual disability , population , proxy (statistics) , psychology , welfare , social welfare , gerontology , medicine , demography , sociology , psychiatry , economics , political science , computer science , machine learning , law , market economy
This study describes the living conditions of adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) as compared to the general population. People with ID born in Uppsala County between 1959 and 1974 constituted the study population ( n = 213). Proxy questionnaire reports and national welfare statistics were used to collect data. The results demonstrated differences in living conditions between the two groups, particularly regarding employment and social life. Whereas people in general had paid employment, most people with ID were provided supported daily activities and their main income source was a disability benefit from the social insurance system. Typically, people with ID lived in a more restricted social environment and had more limited social life than the general population. The social network of people with ID was mainly bulit on family ties (parents and siblings); caregiver‐care receiver relations and included few chosen friends (with or without disability). The authors suggest that the way in which help and support is provided by professionals using the special and generic help systems may actually prevent or restrain individuals with ID from influencing their own life course.