Beyond disability: A scientometric review of quality of life in developmental disabilities

Quality of Life (QoL) is a crucial concept that pertains to an individual’s perception of their position in life. In the context of developmental disabilities, QoL is pivotal for improving evidence-based practices, providing support and organizing services for individuals, thereby enabling them to achieve their potential with dignity and equality. Despite its importance, QoL has often not been the primary focus in many studies on developmental disabilities and remains less developed compared to other research areas. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the existing knowledge in this thematic area. A document co-citation analysis was conducted to identify the most impactful publications and main thematic domains of research in the literature (N = 2141 documents and their 97,547 citations). A total of 21 impactful documents were identified, most of which focused on issues related to the conceptualization and assessment of QoL. Nine major thematic domains of research were outlined. In line with the impactful publications, some research themes focused on conceptual issues (e.g., self-reported QoL and QoL reported from others) and assessment approaches. Furthermore, the literature has transitioned towards broadening the QoL perspective in the context of family and social systems. The study provides an overview of how QoL has been studied in the context of developmental disabilities, highlighting the interdependence of individuals, families, and communities in ensuring a fulfilling life through the lens of QoL.