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Project

Towards unraveling the complexities of social relations of adults with a disability in ambulatory support services. Personal Network Stories as a pathway to intervention.

Earlier research demonstrates the great importance of social relations for adults with a disability. Healthy interpersonal relationships and social inclusion are found to have a positive influence on several domains such as individual and family quality of life (e.g. Buntinx & Schalock, 2010; Munikanan et al., 2017) and better physical and mental health (e.g. Ehsan et al., 2019; Umberson & Montez, 2010). Adults with an intellectual disability are particularly vulnerable for smaller and less heterogeneous social networks which underlines the need for interventions to build, maintain and strengthen social relations of clients in home-based services. The main goal of this doctoral dissertation is to understand the complex dynamics of social relations of adults with a disability in ambulatory support services, and to support professionals to maintain, strengthen or broaden the social relations and thus the quality of life of these persons. This is operationalized in three objectives: (1) mapping the existing interventions on social relations (study 1 and 2), (2) mapping the complexity and dynamics of social relations (study 4) and (3) Personal Network Stories as a pathway to intervention (study 4, 5 and 6).

Study 1 aims to identify interventions which strengthen social relations, and their underlying catalysts of change through a systematic review of peer reviewed articles, published between 2000 and 2020. Study 2 explores the current practices and influencing factors within the context of independent supported living of adults with a disability. Study 3 applies the ecological framework of Simplican, Leader, Kosciulek, and Leahy (2015) as a model to understand the protective and risk factors of social relations of individual persons with a disability in independent supported living. Study 4 applies and evaluates a new method of creating a Personal Network Story (PNS) for clients in ambulatory support services. The PNS aims to clarify the dynamics of the social relations, the protective and risk factors and the individual needs with regard to social relations. Study 5 focuses on linking actions or interventions to the specific needs of clients in ambulatory support services with regard to social relations. Additionally, this study explores the potential added value of involving external professionals in using the Personal Network Story to identify individual goals and actions. Study 6 focusses on evaluating the effects of the Personal Network Story from the perspectives of the adult with a disability and the professional support worker.

This project is embedded in a strong collaboration between KU Leuven (Parenting and Special Education research unit, LUCAS), UCLL and SPOND vzw, referred to as the Academic Collaborative Centre Inclusion Support (Academische Werkplaats Inclusie Ondersteuning). This collaboration ensures the practical translation, relevance and immediate application of this PhD. We stress the close cooperation with persons with a disability, professionals and network members of the person with a disability in this study.

Date:19 Oct 2017 →  6 Sep 2022
Keywords:Social network, Person with disabilities
Disciplines:Orthopedagogics and special education
Project type:PhD project