Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the relation between perceived social support and personal autonomy of individuals with intellectual disabilities and Health-Related Quality of Life.MethodsA cross-sectional study with a multicentre sample was carried out including 162 institutionalized individuals with intellectual disability. The measurement tool was a structured questionnaire with sociodemographic variables, and three scales: Functional Independence Measure(FIM) scale, Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire, and SF-36 Health Survey, which were completed during an individual/family interview.ResultsThe perception of received social support is high on all 11 items of the Duke-UNC questionnaire, with an average of 3.45 for item-1 and 4.85 for item-11, which represents a total perceived support of an average 47.98 points (±SD7.30) (normal support). The Mental-Health component is rated worse than Physical-Health (67.41 vs. 71.74). The average rates for the different dimensions range from 57.34 points for Social-Functioning (the lowest rating) to 79.61 points for Bodily-Pain (highest rating). A multiple linear regression analysis reveals that the dimensions of Physical-Functioning (p < 0.001), Role-Physical (p = 0.016) and Bodily-Pain (p = 0.022), which are elements of the Physical-Health component, are independent predictive variables with the Degree of Autonomy (FIM) as a dependent variable. Social-Support (Duke-UNC) as a dependent variable is determined by the dimensions of Vitality (p = 0.014), Role-Emotional (p = 0.001) and Mental-Health (p < 0.001), which are part of the Mental-Health component and act as independent predictive variables.ConclusionsIndividuals with intellectual disability and a higher degree of personal autonomy determined by institutional and family support report better Health and Quality of Life.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to assess the relation between perceived social support and personal autonomy of individuals with intellectual disabilities and Health-Related Quality of Life
Our findings show that the individuals with intellectual disability (IIDs) in our study report an adequate level of Perceived Social Support (PSS), and that families are the main providers of that support
These observations are in keeping with those of other authors which claim that family support is associated to a better perception of quality of life, we are aware that this role may be overvalued compared with other types of social support [19]
Summary
The aim of this study was to assess the relation between perceived social support and personal autonomy of individuals with intellectual disabilities and Health-Related Quality of Life. People with disabilities are an important population group which in 2008 represented 8.5% (3,847,900 people) of the Spanish population. This quantitative impact makes it necessary to assess the major healthcare and social challenges, as well as the social and healthcare costs which it entails, given the levels of dependence of these people for families and for Society [1, 2]. Perceived health improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and adding social support can improve Well-being, mainly physical and emotional
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