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Social networks of adults with an intellectual disability from south Asian and white communities in the United Kingdom: a comparison

Bhardwaj, A.K., Forrester-Jones, Rachel, Murphy, Glynis H. (2017) Social networks of adults with an intellectual disability from south Asian and white communities in the United Kingdom: a comparison. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31 (2). e253-e264. ISSN 1360-2322. (doi:10.1111/jar.12351) (KAR id:60226)

Abstract

Background: Little research exists comparing the social networks of people with intellectual disability (ID) from south Asian and white backgrounds. This UK study reports on the barriers that south Asian people with ID face in relation to social inclusion compared to their white counterparts.

Materials and Methods: A mixed-methods research design was adopted to explore the social lives of 27 men (15 white; 12 South Asian) and 20 women (10 white; 10 South Asian with ID). Descriptive and parametric tests were used to analyse the quantitative data.

Results: The average network size of the whole group was 32 members. South Asian

participants had more family members whilst white participants had more service users and staff in their networks; 96% network members from white ID group were also of white background, whilst the south Asian group had mixed ethnic network members.

Conclusions: Social networks of individuals with ID in this study were found to be larger overall in comparison to previous studies, whilst network structure differed between the white and south Asian population. These differences have implications relating to future service planning and appropriateness of available facilities.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/jar.12351
Uncontrolled keywords: intellectual disability, social networks, social inclusion, south Asian
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Tizard
Funders: [37325] UNSPECIFIED
Depositing User: Jo Ruffels
Date Deposited: 06 Feb 2017 10:58 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 18:35 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/60226 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Forrester-Jones, Rachel.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Murphy, Glynis H..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7817-5861
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
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