Does choice influence quality of life for people with mild intellectual disabilities?
Abstract
Consumer choice is a key concept in developmental disability intervention, but relatively little quantitative research has focused on the relationship between choice and quality of life. This study used data from Washington state's Division of Developmental Disabilities 2002 National Core Indicators study (Human Services Research Institute, 2001a, 2001b) to examine the relationship between choice and 3 quality-of-life indicators: community inclusion, rights, and opportunities for relationships. Consumers (N=224) with mild intellectual disabilities participated in the study. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the influence of type of living arrangement and choice on quality of life. Consumers who lived in the community and made more choices had higher scores on quality-of-life indicators. The findings have implications for disability policy, practice, and future research. © Copyright by American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 2008.
Publication Title
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Recommended Citation
Neely-Barnes, S., Marcenko, M., & Weber, L. (2008). Does choice influence quality of life for people with mild intellectual disabilities?. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 46 (1), 12-26. https://doi.org/10.1352/0047-6765(2008)46[12:DCIQOL]2.0.CO;2
