Living with family: perceptions of health and subjective well-being of adults with an intellectual disability

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the role of living circumstances to the perception of subjective well-being (SWB) and health of adults with intellectual disability (ID). The aim of the present study was to examine whether living circumstances impact differently on the perception of health and SWB and whether potential differences persist after accounting for other variables (e.g. level of support needs and reporting method).

METHODS

Secondary data analysis was undertaken of a large national survey of adults with an ID in England, aged 16 years and over. Participants were identified as living with family (N = 1528) or living out of home (N = 874).

RESULTS

The results of t-test and chi-square revealed that levels of health and SWB were perceived as being higher for people living with family than those living in out-of-home settings. Multiple linear regression analyses fitted to explore factors associated with these reported differences revealed that, when controlling for other variables, living with family was highly associated with reports of better SWB. Multiple logistic regression revealed that whilst the health status of people living with families were perceived as better, this was only true when their support needs were low. Poorest health outcomes were found for people with highest support needs who lived with family.

CONCLUSIONS

On the whole, the health and well-being of adults living with family were perceived more positively than those living out of home. However, potential health disparities exist for those with high support needs who live with family. Further longitudinal research is needed to explore causes and potential solution to these inequalities.

Physical and psychological health of family carers co-residing with an adult relative with an intellectual disability

BACKGROUND

Providing long-term care to an adult relative with intellectual disability can impact negatively on caregivers' health and well-being.

METHODS

Data were collected via online and postal questionnaires on 110 family carers' physical and psychological health, family stress and perceived positive gains from caring. Psychological adaptation and carers' satisfaction with available support were also examined.

RESULTS

Study participants reported more health problems than general populations. Higher support needs of care recipients were associated with increased family stress. Carers being female were associated with lower family stress. Older age and better socio-economic position were associated with better psychological outcomes. Other associations were consistent with psychological adaption and perceived helpfulness of support buffering negative outcomes and facilitating positive gains from caring.

CONCLUSIONS

Family carers of adults with intellectual disability appear to experience poorer health outcome than population norms. Adaption to the caregiving role may buffer negative outcomes. Further large scale, population-based, longitudinal research is needed.