Social networks and support mechanisms for people with mild intellectual disability in competitive employment

Participant observation techniques were used to examine the social networks and the social support mechanisms of nine subjects with a mild intellectual disability working in competitive employment settings. Results indicated that the social networks of this group of people lacked complexity with few interconnections among the network nodes. The major sources of social support emanated from the family and from organizations catering for people with disabilities. While subjects perceived considerable social support within the workplace, this support was restricted to the workplace and in general did not extend beyond it. Implications of the findings of the study for ensuring the adequacy of social support both within and beyond the workplace for this group of people are discussed. Additionally, the need for the development of a theory or model of social support as it pertains to people with a mild intellectual disability employed in competitive employment settings is advocated.