Needs and Supports of people with Intellectual disability and their families in Catalonia

Abstract

Background: The study assesses the support needs of individuals with Intellectual Disability (ID) and their families in Catalonia. We examine Family Quality of life (FQoL), identify the individual services required, and assess families' perceptions of the extent to which their family member with ID and they themselves receive the services they need. Materials and Methods: The N&S questionnaire (Needs and Supports for people with ID and their families) was administered to 2,160 families with a member with ID aged under 70 in Catalonia (Spain). Results: Overall mean FQoL was quite high. FQoL was associated with family income, education, employment and percentage level of disability. Neither people with ID nor their families receive the specific support they need. Conclusions: Besides providing specific support for individuals with ID, local policy-makers and practitioners should apply a family-centered approach to the provision of support for families in order to improve FQoL.