2018 Volume 59 Issue 3 Pages 30-43
This study aimed on behaviors, perceptions and factors affecting adult children with intellectual disabilities in their experiences of getting independence from older parents by moving to group homes. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 8 adult children with intellectual disabilities who gained independence from parents that were over 60 years old. These data were analyzed using the Trajectory Equifinality Model (TEM). The adult children’s experiences began with “Living with parents”, and they advanced stepwise to “Understanding their mothers’ suggestion”, “Finding it hard to get used to a new lifestyle” and “Deciding to live in group homes”. Although some individuals were in group homes against their will initially, they finally decided to live in group homes. The results indicate that providing the opportunity for contacting people with intellectual disabilities who already live in group homes is important for adult children with intellectual disabilities living with their parents to raise the children’s awareness of independence. As well as well-timed support that raises awareness around self-reliance, continuous support for adult children with intellectual disabilities who have been living in group homes is also important.
