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ERIC Number: EJ1458514
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Feb
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1056-263X
EISSN: EISSN-1573-3580
Natural Supports and Quality of Life of People with Disabilities
Carli Friedman
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, v37 n1 p79-95 2025
Natural supports are informal relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and community members that serve as a source of connection and support, and as a safety net. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of natural supports on different areas of quality of life of people with disabilities. Given the theorized importance of natural support to quality of life, the secondary aim of this study was to examine disparities in natural supports among people with disabilities. We had two research questions: (1) What is the relationship between the presence of natural support networks and other areas of quality of life?; and (2) Are there differences in the presence of natural support networks based on people with disabilities' sociodemographic factors? To examine these research questions, using binary logistic regressions, we analyzed secondary Personal Outcome Measures® quality of life outcome data from 7,118 people with disabilities (January 2015 to December 2022). We found 59.0% of adults with disabilities were not connected to natural support networks. In addition, natural supports also had a wide-reaching impact on people's quality of life, from health and safety to rights to community integration to self-determination (adjusted odds ratios ranged from 1.47 to 3.53). Women, people with full/plenary guardianship, people with comprehensive behavior support needs, and people with personality/psychotic disorder were especially lacking in natural supports. We must ensure all people with disabilities are connected to natural support networks in order to maximize their quality of life.
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2123/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A