Family network typologies of adults with intellectual disability: Associations with psychological outcomes.

Abstract

Background: Based on self-reported social capital, different typologies of family networks of people with intellectual disabilities were examined. Associations between behavioural and emotional problems or well-being and typologies were investigated.

Method: 137 participants with mild intellectual disability were interviewed using the Family Network Method-Intellectual Disability to assess their emotionally supportive family relationships. Data on participants' well-being and behavioural and emotional problems were also gathered. Latent class analysis was used to identify family typologies based on social network measures.

Results: Four distinguishable typologies were identified, two supportive and two less supportive. A small association was found with behavioural and emotional problems and one of the supportive typologies. Associations with constructs of well-being were found for both supportive and less supportive typologies.

Conclusions: A variety of family types were found, with implications for sensitive professional support.