scholarly journals Religious and Spiritual Expressions of Young People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik W. Carter ◽  
Thomas L. Boehm

Although the importance and influence of spirituality in the lives of youth and young adults have garnered much attention, few studies have focused on the religious and spiritual lives of young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We examined the congregational activities, spiritual practices, and strength of religious faith of 440 individuals with IDD (aged 13-21 years) as reported by their parents. Such activities and practices were described as having particular prominence, with most youth participating in multiple ways both in a local congregation and at home. However, participation patterns were individualized and strongly associated with the importance of faith in their lives. We offer recommendations for families, congregations, agencies, and researchers aimed at better understanding and supporting this often-overlooked dimension of the lives of youth with IDD.

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 361-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristie L Hubbard ◽  
Linda G Bandini ◽  
Sara C Folta ◽  
Brian Wansink ◽  
Misha Eliasziw ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo assess whether a Smarter Lunchroom intervention based on behavioural economics and adapted for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities would increase the selection and consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and reduce the selection and consumption of refined grains.DesignThe 3-month intervention took place at a residential school between March and June 2012. The evaluation employed a quasi-experimental, pre–post design comparing five matched days of dietary data. Selection and plate waste of foods at lunch were assessed using digital photography. Consumption was estimated from plate waste.SettingMassachusetts, USA.SubjectsStudents (n 43) aged 11–22 years with intellectual and developmental disabilities attending a residential school.ResultsDaily selection of whole grains increased by a mean of 0·44 servings (baseline 1·62 servings, P = 0·005) and refined grains decreased by a mean of 0·33 servings (baseline 0·82 servings, P = 0·005). The daily consumption of fruits increased by a mean of 0·18 servings (baseline 0·39 servings, P = 0·008), whole grains increased by 0·38 servings (baseline 1·44 servings, P = 0·008) and refined grains decreased by a mean of 0·31 servings (baseline 0·68 servings, P = 0·004). Total kilojoules and total gram weight of food selected and consumed were unchanged. Fruit (P = 0·04) and vegetable (P = 0·03) plate waste decreased.ConclusionsA Smarter Lunchroom intervention significantly increased whole grain selection and consumption, reduced refined grain selection and consumption, increased fruit consumption, and reduced fruit and vegetable plate waste. Nudge approaches may be effective for improving the food selection and consumption habits of adolescents and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.


2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 425-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiyoshi Yamaki ◽  
Kelly Hsieh ◽  
Tamar Heller

Abstract The health status of 206 female caregivers supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at home was investigated using objective (i.e., presence of chronic health conditions and activity limitations) and subjective (i.e., self-perceived health status) health measures compared with those of women in the general population in 2 age groups: middle age (Ages 40–59 years) and older ages (≥60 years). Prevalence of arthritis, high blood pressure, obesity, and activity limitations for the caregivers in both age groups was significantly higher than that for women in the general population. Middle-age caregivers reported a higher prevalence of diabetes and high blood cholesterol than their age peers from the general population. Despite the potential health challenges, the caregivers generally perceived their health better than that of women in the general population. Older caregivers' perceptions on their psychological well being, however, appeared to an exception. Implications regarding potential health risks for caregivers and residential services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities are discussed.


2013 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 349-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Hewitt ◽  
John Agosta ◽  
Tamar Heller ◽  
Ann Cameron Williams ◽  
Jennifer Reinke

Abstract Families are critical in the provision of lifelong support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Today, more people with IDD receive long-term services and supports while living with their families. Thus, it is important that researchers, practitioners, and policy makers understand how to best support families who provide at-home support to children and adults with IDD. This article summarizes (a) the status of research regarding the support of families who provide support at home to individuals with IDD, (b) present points of concern regarding supports for these families, and (c) associated future research priorities related to supporting families.


Young ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Winter

The engagement of young people of religious faith with global injustice has been little explored in studies either of youth religiosity or youth political participation. The recently established youth initiatives of Christian Aid and Tearfund—two of the UK’s most widely recognized Christian non-governmental organizations (NGOs)—offer a way to explore this, alongside the SPEAK Network, a grassroots Christian student and youth movement that campaigns on social justice issues. Analyzing the blog posts of these three initiatives, this article will focus particularly upon the ways in which Tearfund Rhythms, the Christian Aid Collective and SPEAK use popular culture, categorizing their various uses as either innovation, appropriation, resistance or reclamation. It will then explain the groups’ differing emphases by considering their varying relationships with their members and their different religious positioning, before critically assessing what it means for young adults to ‘do’ religion and politics online.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 25-35
Author(s):  
Liběna Kantnerová

This paper analyses the need to deal with the issue of financial literacy and financial knowledge not only by adults, but also by youth and young adults. This paper is focused on research into the knowledge and understanding of the financial literacy of young people, mostly between the ages of 16 to 33 years, via a questionnaire. The survey, undertaken in the Czech Republic, is based on a sample of 329 students from high schools and 329 students from the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice [658].


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