title: The structure of informal social networks of persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Persons with less severe disabilities are able to express their needs and show initiatives in social contacts, persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD), however, depend on others for this. This study analysed the structure of informal networks of persons with PIMD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data concerning the number, type and frequency of contacts were collected in 205 persons with PIMD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean number of contact persons was 5.1 (range: 0-26, SD: 4.2) per year. 79.4% of the contact persons are family, with an average of 72.3 contacts per year. Parents had significantly more contact compared to the other informal contact persons. In 2.2% of the sample contacts with peers were seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The informal networks of persons with PIMD consist mainly of family. The question arises how informal networks can be expanded and which role professionals have in this process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Special Needs Education and Child Care, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; 's Heeren Loo, Amersfoort, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kamstra
authors.forename: A A J
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: van der Putten
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vlaskamp
mesh_terms: D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D035781:Siblings; D012944:Social Support
keywords: informal networks; parents; profound intellectual and multiple disabilities; residential facility; social contacts