Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
06:52
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Loneliness and living arrangements.
Roger J Stancliffe1, K Charlie Lakin, Robert Doljanac
1Diabilities Studies, Faculties of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney Cumberland Campus, PO Box 170, Lidcombe NSW 1825, Australia. roger.stancliffe@bigpond.com
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
|November 14, 2007
Summary
Loneliness is common for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). Living in larger community settings (7-15 people) and feeling unsafe were linked to increased loneliness, while social contact and satisfaction with residence were protective.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Psychology
- Disability Studies
Background:
- Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) are increasingly housed in community settings.
- Understanding factors contributing to loneliness in this population is crucial for well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine self-reported loneliness in adults with ID/DD.
- To investigate the relationship between loneliness and community residence size, personal characteristics, social contact, and social climate.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 1,002 individuals with ID/DD across 5 states.
- Data collected on loneliness, residence characteristics, social interactions, and perceived social climate.
- Statistical analysis to identify associations.
Main Results:
- One-third of participants reported sometimes feeling lonely; one-sixth reported often feeling lonely.
- Loneliness was not more prevalent in smaller settings or for those living alone.
- Increased loneliness was associated with larger community residences (7-15 people), fear in the home or community, and less social contact.
Conclusions:
- Loneliness is a significant concern for adults with ID/DD.
- Residence size, social contact, and perceived safety are key factors influencing loneliness.
- Interventions should focus on enhancing social connections and ensuring safe living environments.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Ending Relationships
The dissolution of intimate relationships presents complex emotional and psychological challenges, particularly when emotional bonds are strong, the relationship is long-standing, and perceived alternatives are limited. This distress often intensifies in romantic breakups, where the initiator may experience greater turmoil than the rejected partner. Contributing factors include residual attachment, guilt over causing pain, and uncertainty about how to manage the situation. The stress is further...
01:27Relationship Growth
Interpersonal relationships progress through stages, beginning with awareness and moving toward mutuality, where emotional connections deepen. While many relationships remain at moderate levels of mutuality, deeper connections form through self-disclosure, trust, and interdependence.Self-DisclosureSelf-disclosure involves revealing personal information, starting with surface-level details and gradually progressing to more intimate content. As trust grows, individuals feel more comfortable...
01:27Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development outlines a series of stages through which individuals progress across the lifespan. Each stage involves a psychosocial conflict that significantly influences personal growth and well-being. Three key stages — intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and integrity versus despair — highlight the developmental challenges faced in adulthood.
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...
01:30Social Relationships and Well-Being
The significance of social relationships in psychological well-being is a well-established area of inquiry within social psychology. Research consistently demonstrates that the presence of meaningful, supportive relationships enhances emotional health, while the absence or deterioration of such connections can contribute to psychological distress. Relationships serve as a foundation for emotional support, identity, and social belonging, all of which are critical to an individual’s overall...
01:14Frustration and Conflict: Avoidance-Avoidance, Double-Approach Avoidance
Avoidance-avoidance conflict refers to a psychological situation where a person must choose between two or more unpleasant alternatives. These conflicts are particularly stressful because neither option is desirable. This dilemma is often expressed in sayings like "caught between a rock and a hard place" or "between the devil and the deep blue sea." For instance, individuals who fear dental procedures may find themselves torn between enduring a painful toothache or facing the anxiety of...
01:29Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings
Other adult family members and siblings play a crucial role in shaping children’s social and emotional development. While parents or primary caregivers are often the central figures in early attachment and socialization, other adults in a child’s life, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, can significantly influence developmental outcomes. These influences depend on each adult’s personality and may help compensate when a primary caregiver is emotionally distant or inconsistent. For...