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.
Lunsky
Yona
Y
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
Neely
Lynn C
LC
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