Self-perception and social adaptation in people with mild intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Self-perception is a particularly important determinant of human existence in a broad sense. A multifaceted self-image, its positive perception and acceptance have a significant impact on individual psychosocial comfort, optimal development, and functioning and quality of life improvement. This paper specifically stresses the need for people with mild intellectual disabilities to develop social skills in a broad sense that influence quality of life and that are determined by a positively perceived self-image and the social adaptation level. The partial findings of the author’s research study presented in the paper point to numerous spheres of the participants’ personalities and their adaptation behaviors that constitute an important developmental potential of people with mild intellectual disabilities. The self-perception and social adaptation of people with mild intellectual disabilities is treated as a unique aim of objective scientific inquiry in the article. The issues presented from such a point of view can be considered as valid, justified and aiming to optimize the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities. The paper includes a theoretical discussion and empirical analyses. The theoretical part details the essence of intellectual disability, social adaptation, and self-perception in people with intellectual disabilities. The empirical part provides the methodology of the author’s research study, the findings, and analysis. As a whole, the paper provides a basis for pragmatic conclusions and recommendations.