Exploring social networks, employment and self-determination outcomes of graduates from a postsecondary program for young adults with an intellectual disability

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Patricia Spencer ◽  
James Van Haneghan ◽  
Abigail Baxter
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Employment Outcomes ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Employment Decisions ◽  
Employment Skills ◽  
Postsecondary Program

BACKGROUND: Data on graduates’ development and employment outcomes from postsecondary programs for young adults with an Intellectual Disability (ID) continue to increase and provide information on program efficacy and areas for growth. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the development of graduates’ social networks, employment outcomes, and self-determination a year after graduating from an inclusive postsecondary program. METHODS: The social networks, employment outcomes, and evidence of self-determination in a combined cohort of graduates (n = 6) were analyzed using social network analysis. RESULTS: All graduates except one were employed a year later. Half displayed smaller networks consisting of family members and new work ties. Only two graduates displayed large networks because of opportunities for socialization. In the absence of employment, students also fall back on familiar supports. Most parents were involved in graduates’ employment decisions, thereby curbing graduates’ expression of self-determination. CONCLUSIONS: Family supports are prominent in graduates’ networks and play a crucial role in employment choices. They act as constant protective and social-emotional supports ensuring graduates’ access to benefits and maintenance of well-being. Employment skills valued by employers and further opportunities to develop students’ social networks while in the PSE program needs to be a focus going forward.

scholarly journals “It’s ok, mom. I got it!”: Exploring the experiences of young adults with intellectual disabilities in a postsecondary program affected by the COVID-19 pandemic from their perspective and their families’ perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 174462952110023
Author(s):  
Patricia Spencer ◽  
James P Van Haneghan ◽  
Abigail Baxter ◽  
Alexandra Chanto-Wetter ◽  
Lauren Perry
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Instructional Practices ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Peer Mentors ◽  
Parent Experiences ◽  
Adults With Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Mentoring Support ◽  
Postsecondary Program ◽  
Parents Experiences

Students’ resilience in a postsecondary program for individuals with an intellectual disability impacted by the COVID-19 disruption and the challenges they faced during this time was captured in the context of social network analysis interviews that included students’ and families’ experiences as they managed the pandemic. Students’ experiences spoke to their resilience in using the skills they gained through the program to navigate the COVID-19 disruption even though it was sometimes tricky. Parents’ experiences revealed their increased confidence and sense of pride in their adult children when they observed growth in independence, self-determination, and familiarity with technology. Innovative and engaging instructional practices and e-mentoring support offered by peer mentors motivated students in their academics and encouraged their social development during this time. Student and parent experiences offer hope that young adults with an intellectual disability can gain skills in a postsecondary program that better prepares them to meet life’s challenges.

scholarly journals Promoting the Self-Determination of Mexican Young Adults Identified with Intellectual Disability: A Sociocultural Discourse Analysis of Their Discussion about Goal Setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 200
Author(s):  
Ana Luisa Rubio-Jimenez ◽  
Ruth Kershner
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Mexican Students

Self-determination is the product of the individuals’ volition in interaction with their environment. Enhancing the self-determination of young adults with intellectual disability (ID) has been related to positive adult outcomes. Educational programmes to promote self-determination commonly rely on the interaction between students and educators to set goals and make plans to achieve them. Yet the quality of these interactions has been little studied. This research involves Mexican students identified with ID who had accessed universities through the education programme: Building Bridges. The paper presents findings of a sociocultural discourse analysis of the conversations that arose when three students, a teacher and a facilitator discussed courses of action to achieve the students’ “Challenge of the Month” goals. We discuss how the student’s goal setting could be supported and hindered in these conversations. Potential constraints on students’ goal setting are noted when discussions of concrete courses of action are prioritized over discussions that would lead students to reflect more deeply on the motives behind their goals.

A Model Rural Inclusive Postsecondary Program for Students With Intellectual Disability

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 191-202
Author(s):  
Gerlinde Beckers ◽  
Colleen Klein-Ezell
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
College Experience ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Program Outcomes ◽  
Federal Financial Aid ◽  
Employment Skills ◽  
Rural Settings ◽  
Postsecondary Program

Lions Connected (LC) is an inclusive postsecondary program approved by the U.S. Department of Education; thus meeting rigorous program standards and accountability. Equally important is that it gives eligible students from rural areas the opportunity to receive federal financial aid to attend college. The purpose of developing LC was to meet the needs and desires of the surrounding rural communities by providing postsecondary opportunities for students with intellectual disability (ID) to enhance their social, academic, and employment skills alongside peers without disabilities. This article describes the program in detail as well as program outcomes, including employment in rural home communities. LC students receive a true college experience while preparing to become contributing members in society regardless of where they live. By following LC’s program structure, there are multiple opportunities for supporting students with ID in rural settings and helping them garner a college experience and become successfully employed in their community and reach their full potential.

Transition Satisfaction and Family Well Being Among Parents of Young Adults With Severe Intellectual Disability

2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron L. Neece ◽  
Bonnie R. Kraemer ◽  
Jan Blacher
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Family System ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Sudden Change ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Environmental Characteristics ◽  
Severe Intellectual Disability

Abstract The transition from high school to adulthood is a critical life stage that entails many changes, especially for youth with severe intellectual disability. The transition period may be especially stressful for the families of these young adults, who often experience a sudden change, or decrease, in services. However, little research has examined what constitutes a successful transition for the families of these individuals. The present study examined parent perspectives of transition for 128 young adults with severe intellectual disability, specifically, parent satisfaction with transition. Results suggested that transition satisfaction is related to young adult, family, and environmental characteristics, with environmental characteristics being the strongest predictors of transition satisfaction. Furthermore, transition satisfaction is related to multiple measures of family well being, indicating the tremendous need for considering the broader family system when planning for a young adult's transition. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Social relationships and their connection to mental health for young people who have been in the care system

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maritta Törrönen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sensitive Information

Abstract The mental health of young people is a pressing concern in global development. However, there is little research on how young adults report their own mental health. The interview data gathered in this study (n = 74) explored young adults’ well-being during the transition period from care to independent living under an English local authority and in Finland. Participatory action research methods were employed. The interview schedule included 71 open and closed questions, and was analysed by content and summarised using the SPSS software application and Excel tables. The themes concerning mental health and social relationships were divided into three categories: ‘They have been there for me’, ‘My friends are the only ones’ and ‘They just guided me’. Participants who felt they had supportive social networks also felt their mental well-being and security to be better than those who did not. Overall, the findings demonstrated that good, significant social relations provided a sense of security but did not guarantee a positive mental outlook. Exploring young adults’ own evaluations of their social networks provides social work practitioners with sensitive information with which to find ways for young people to support their mental health in their own terms.

scholarly journals Evaluating Quality of Life in Families With Williams Syndrome Patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
ESTHER MORALEDA ◽  
Mario Arana ◽  
Patricia López
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Williams Syndrome ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Interpersonal Relations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Williams Syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by a variable intellectual disability. People with Williams Syndrome need the intervention of several clinical and educational specialists throughout their life. However, little is known about the impact produced by this disability in their immediate environment, especially in families. The purpose was to know the level of quality of life described by families with Williams Syndrome.Methods: The sample was made up of 33 families belong to Spanish Williams Syndrome Association who were evaluated using the Kidslife Scale. Theirs children and adolescents were between 4 and 20 years old. Eight main quality of life dimensions were evaluated: emotional well-being, physical well-being, material well-being, personal development, interpersonal relations, social inclusion, self-determination and rightsResults: The obtained data indicated that the degree and presence of intellectual disability themselves did not homogeneously influence people’s quality of life, but many variables could alter their quality of life to a greater or lesser extent. There are no significant differences between quality of life areas but significant differences appeared for level of dependence in the self-determination subarea (p<.05). Conclusions: These results led us to analyse the social and emotional implications for families and their environment.

scholarly journals Self-Determination Competencies, (Dis)Agreement in Decision-Making, and Personal Well-Being of Adults with Mild Intellectual Disabilities in Hong Kong

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10721
Author(s):  
Phyllis King Shui Wong ◽  
Amy Yin Man Chow
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Chinese Culture ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Significant Others ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Personal Goals ◽  
The Relationship

Background: The self-determination of people with an intellectual disability (ID) in the contexts of adulthood and Chinese culture is under-examined in the field of ID, even though the concept of self-determination has vigorously developed in recent decades. This study examined the relationship between self-determination competencies and the personal well-being of adults with mild ID in Hong Kong, as well as their personal goals and decision-making (dis)agreements with their significant others. Methods: We interviewed 170 participants using the AIR Self-Determination Scale—Chinese Version (AIR SDS-C) and the Personal Well-Being—Intellectual Disability (Cantonese) (PWI-C), along with a self-constructed questionnaire. Results: When the demographic characteristics were controlled, self-determination competencies correlated positively with personal well-being (r = 0.313, p < 0.001), diverse personal goals were identified, and agreement with significant others was dominant in both daily and major decision-making. Conclusions: A positive correlation between self-determination and personal well-being was confirmed in a Chinese population with mild ID. These findings expand the understanding of the types of personal goals and agreement patterns of people with mild ID and yield implications for further research and practices.

scholarly journals Evaluating quality of life in families with Williams Syndrome patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Moraleda Sepúlveda ◽  
Patricia López Resa
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Williams Syndrome ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Interpersonal Relations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Williams Syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by a variable intellectual disability. People with Williams Syndrome need the intervention of several clinical and educational specialists throughout their life. However, little is known about the impact produced by this disability in their immediate environment, especially in families. The purpose was to know the level of quality of life described by families with Williams Syndrome. Methods The sample was made up of 33 families belong to Spanish Williams Syndrome Association who were evaluated using the Kidslife Scale. Their children and adolescents were between 4 and 20 years old. Eight main quality of life domains were evaluated: emotional well-being, physical well-being, material well-being, personal development, interpersonal relations, social inclusion, self-determination and rights Results The obtained data indicated that the degree and presence of intellectual disability did not homogeneously influence people’s quality of life, but many variables could alter their quality of life to a greater or lesser extent. There are no significant differences between quality of life areas but significant differences appeared for level of dependence in the self-determination subarea (p < .05). Conclusions These results led us to analyse the social and emotional implications for families and their environment.

Motivation in Later Life: Theory and Assessment

1995 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Vallerand ◽  
Brian P. O'Connor ◽  
Marc Hamel
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Promising Direction ◽  
Motivational Styles ◽  
Theoretical Predictions

A framework that has been found useful in research on young adults, Deci and Ryan's self-determination theory [1, 2], is suggested as a promising direction for research on motivation in later life. The theory proposes the existence of four types of motivation (intrinsic, self-determined extrinsic, nonself-determined extrinsic, and amotivation) which are assumed to have varying consequences for adaptation and well-being. A previously published French measure of motivational styles which is known to be reliable and valid was translated into English and was tested on seventy-seven nursing home residents (aged 60 to 98 years). It was found that the four motivational styles can be reliably measured; that the intercorrelations between the motivational styles are consistent with theoretical predictions; and that the four types of motivation are related to other important aspects of the lives of elderly people in a theoretically meaningful manner. Suggestions are made for further research using self-determination theory and the present scales.

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