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‘Love makes me feel good inside and my heart is fixed’: What adults with intellectual disabilities have to say about love and relationships
Author(s) -
McCarthy Michelle,
Bates Claire,
Elson Nicola,
Hunt Siobhan,
MilneSkillman Karen,
Forrester–Jones Rachel
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 1360-2322
DOI - 10.1111/jar.12893
Subject(s) - disadvantaged , pleasure , autonomy , intellectual disability , psychology , meaning (existential) , social psychology , value (mathematics) , developmental psychology , political science , neuroscience , psychiatry , machine learning , computer science , law , psychotherapist
Abstract Background Adults with intellectual disabilities have historically been hindered, rather than supported, in their desire to form loving relationships. This paper sought to explore with them what kinds of support they wanted in the 21st Century. Method Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews were conducted with 40 adults with intellectual disabilities in the United Kingdom. Results Participants placed a high value on having a partner and being supported to maintain and develop a loving relationship. The factors which constrained them in achieving this included a lack of social opportunities, barriers created by social care services and limits on them exercising autonomy. Facilitating factors included access to specialist dating agencies, strong family and staff support and opportunities to learn about relationships. Conclusions The importance of a loving relationship as a source of pleasure and meaning in the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities who are often disadvantaged in many other spheres of life is emphasised.