| dc.description.abstract | Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) impact individuals across all
racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and those who experience IDD have higher
rates of loneliness and social isolation. Through supportive relationships, individuals
with disabilities can mitigate the negative health outcomes related to loneliness and
isolation (i.e., abuse, exploitation, mental health disorders, lower quality of life). Social
network analysis (SNA) is a theory and methodology that allows researchers to
understand the connections between people and observe the adoption, spread of beliefs
and behaviors, and impacts relationships have on an individual. The purpose of this
dissertation was to use SNA to investigate the perception of social support among
individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). To do so, we
conducted a scoping literature review and two SNAs.
The scoping review documented 7 studies investigating the social networks of
individuals with IDD. This review provided insight into how studies have been
conducted and network composition of those with IDD. The first SNA comprised an
egocentric network analysis and measured the characteristics related to social support
within a sample of individual with IDD who attend a career preparation program. The
second SNA utilized a sociometric network design to measure network characteristics
related to depression within the same sample.
Results from a scoping review and two SNAs suggest: (a) SNA is an applicable
method to assess social support for individuals who experience IDD; (b) multiple name generators are a promising tool to differentiate types of social support; (c) the social
networks of those who experience IDD have the ability to grow if given the opportunity;
and (d) individuals with IDD can provide support to each other. Implications for future
research and practice are discussed. | en |
