Who Are My Friends? The Friendship Networks of Adults With Intellectual Disability

IF 2.2 3区医学 Q2 PSYCHOLOGY, EDUCATIONAL

Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities Pub Date : 2026-09-29 DOI:10.1111/jar.70311

Fann Tay, Kenneth K. Poon

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

This mixed methods study examined the social networks of adults with intellectual disability (ID), alongside a matched group of typically developing (TD) adults, with ‘friends’ defined from their perspectives.

Methods

Participants identified their friends among those they interacted with in their day-to-day and former contexts, and described what a friend meant to them. Quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated.

Results

Adults with ID had smaller friendship networks and less social support than TD adults. The majority of friends of ID and TD adults were from current and former contexts, respectively. Adults with ID defined a friend by knowing the person and doing shared actions/activities, whereas TD adults emphasised emotional support.

Conclusion

Understanding the friendships of adults with ID requires attention to their perspectives. Their friendships are grounded in context-specific shared actions/activities with people they know, highlighting the importance of providing regular opportunities to engage with familiar others over time.

查看原文本刊更多论文

谁是我的朋友？智力残疾成人的友谊网络。

背景：这项混合方法的研究考察了智力残疾成年人（ID）的社交网络，以及一组正常发育成年人（TD）的社交网络，从他们的角度定义“朋友”。方法：参与者从他们在日常和以前的环境中与之互动的人中找出他们的朋友，并描述朋友对他们的意义。定量和定性研究结果相结合。结果：与TD的成年人相比，ID的成年人有更小的友谊网络和更少的社会支持。ID型和TD型成年人的大多数朋友分别来自现在和以前的环境。有ID的成年人通过认识这个人并共同行动/活动来定义朋友，而有TD的成年人则强调情感支持。结论：理解有本我的成年人的友谊需要注意他们的观点。他们的友谊是建立在与他们认识的人共同的行动/活动的基础上的，这强调了随着时间的推移，定期提供与熟悉的人接触的机会的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities Multiple-

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

12.50%

发文量

期刊介绍： JARID is an international, peer-reviewed journal which draws together findings derived from original applied research in intellectual disabilities. The journal is an important forum for the dissemination of ideas to promote valued lifestyles for people with intellectual disabilities. It reports on research from the UK and overseas by authors from all relevant professional disciplines. It is aimed at an international, multi-disciplinary readership. Topics covered include community living, quality of life, challenging behaviour, communication, sexuality, medication, ageing, supported employment, family issues, mental health, physical health, autism, economic issues, social networks, staff stress, staff training, epidemiology and service provision.