title: Friendships and Intimate Relationships among People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Thematic Synthesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this thematic synthesis was to review qualitative studies on perspectives of persons with intellectual disabilities regarding friendships and intimate relationships.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was conducted, including studies published between 2004 and 2014, involving participants 14 years of age or older, who had intellectual disabilities, and participated in focus groups or interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen studies were included. Three master themes were identified: (i) How do I know someone is my friend? (ii) How do I know someone is my boyfriend or girlfriend? and (iii) What helps and hinders relationships?
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding how people with intellectual disabilities describe relationships, and being aware of factors that support and impede relationships, will aid stakeholders in developing training, policies, programmes and services. Knowledge translation of research that focuses on strategies aimed at supporting relationships is crucial to affect change in applied settings and improve quality of life for persons with intellectual disabilities.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Casey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fulford
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cobigo
mesh_terms: D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: developmental disabilities; friendships; intellectual disabilities; interpersonal relationships; intimate relationships