Effectiveness of the parent training program for supporting the preparation of individuals with intellectual disability for adulthood on mothers’ quality of life perceptions

Abstract

The education offered for the parents of individuals with intellectual disability improves the quality of life of the families, and thus the quality of life of the individuals with intellectual disability in the long term. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the Parent Training Program for Supporting the Preparation of Individuals with Intellectual Disability for Adulthood (PSIDA) that was developed based on the requirements of the families of individuals with intellectual disability on the quality of life perceptions of the families. The families of adults with intellectual disability require support concerning adaptation to adulthood, preparation for the future, coping with future stress, social support, employment and legal rights. PSIDA was developed based on these requirements. The study was conducted with a pre-test/post-test control group design. Eighteen mothers (nine experimental, nine control group) participated in the study. The findings demonstrated that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups, and the quality of life perceptions of the parents that participated in the training improved. This improvement was observed in the subdomains of parenting and emotional well-being dimensions in the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale. © Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities.