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Placement from community-based mental retardation programs: how well do clients do after 8 to 10 years?
American Journal of Mental Deficiency
|May 1, 1986
Summary
Long-term success for individuals with intellectual disabilities in independent housing and competitive employment is linked to family involvement and fewer disabilities. Successful outcomes correlate with a higher Quality of Life Index.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Social Work
Background:
- Evaluating the long-term outcomes of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) in community settings is crucial for understanding effective support strategies.
- Previous research indicates a complex interplay of factors influencing successful integration and quality of life for individuals with ID.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term placement success and quality of life (QoL) of individuals with intellectual disabilities living independently and employed competitively.
- To identify variables that differentiate successful from unsuccessful living and work outcomes, as well as factors correlating with QoL.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal evaluation of 85 individuals with intellectual disabilities placed in independent housing and competitive employment 8-10 years prior.
- Categorization into three groups based on current programmatic status, living-work placement, and financial standing.
- Analysis of variables including family involvement, social-emotional behavior, number of disabilities, sensorimotor functioning, symbolic operations, and auditory-visual processing.
Main Results:
- Key discriminators of successful living and work outcomes included family involvement, social-emotional behavior, number of disabilities, sensorimotor functioning, symbolic operations, and auditory-visual processing.
- Significant correlates of assessed quality of life were family involvement, income, number of disabilities, and age.
- Individuals with successful placements reported a higher Quality of Life Index compared to those with unsuccessful placements.
Conclusions:
- Family involvement and a lower number of disabilities are critical for successful long-term community living and employment outcomes for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- These factors, along with specific cognitive and behavioral attributes, significantly influence the quality of life experienced by this population.
- The findings underscore the importance of comprehensive support systems that address individual needs and foster strong family connections.