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Conundrums of supported living: The experiences of people with intellectual disability

Bigby, Christine, Bould, Emma, Beadle-Brown, Julie (2016) Conundrums of supported living: The experiences of people with intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 42 (4). pp. 309-319. ISSN 1366-8250. E-ISSN 1469-9532. (doi:10.3109/13668250.2016.1253051) (KAR id:60853)

Abstract

Background Dissatisfaction with the inflexibility of the group home model has led to the growth of supported living that separates housing from support and is thought to have greater potential for better quality of life outcomes. Comparative studies have had mixed findings with some showing few differences, other than greater choice in supported living. By investigating service user experiences of supported living this study aimed to identify how the potential of supported living might be better realised.

Method Thirty-four people with intellectual disability participated in 7 focus group interviews and 6 people in an individual interview. Data were analysed using grounded theory methods.

Results Although participants experienced greater choice and control over their everyday lives, they did not feel they controlled the way support was provided and experienced restrictions on lifestyle associated with low income. Despite their use of community places and varied social connections to family, friends, and acquaintances, most experienced loneliness.

Conclusions If the potential of supported living is to be realised, shortcomings of support arrangements must be addressed by, for example, greater consistency of support worker skills, consumer control over recruitment and rostering, and more skilled support to build friendships and manage difficult relationships.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.3109/13668250.2016.1253051
Uncontrolled keywords: intellectual disability, supported living, policy, housing and support
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Tizard
Depositing User: Julie Beadle-Brown
Date Deposited: 11 Mar 2017 23:11 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Feb 2021 13:43 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/60853 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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