Extra-individual sources of social support as described by adults with mild intellectual disabilities.
The extra-individual social support responses provided by adults with intellectual disabilities on a social support survey were examined. Felton and Berry (1992) argued that extra-individual social support, support from larger than individual entities, is a valid source of social support for older adults. We hypothesized that extra-individual support would also be relevant to adults with intellectual disabilities. Results showed that 43% of participants with intellectual disabilities listed extra-individual support sources in their social networks or as providers of one of several support functions. The most popular forms of extra-individual support were those from "staff" and "work." Findings are discussed in terms of implications for social support measurement for persons with intellectual disabilities.
Dual Diagnosis Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street West, Unit 4-4, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6J 1H4. yona_lunsky@camh.net
Yona
Y
Lunsky
Lynn C
LC
Neely
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires