Parental role in intimate relationships: Comparing adults with and without intellectual disabilities

ABSTRACT

Background

Adults with intellectual disabilities experience higher rates of exploitative intimate relationships. Parents of these adults play important roles in their lives. This study examined the role of parents in the intimate relationship experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities.

Method

A mixed methods design was utilised. Parents compared experiences between their adult child with intellectual disabilities and typically developing adult child. An online survey was completed by 50 parents in the United States, and follow-up phone/video interviews were completed concurrently with a subset of 20 parents.

Results

Parents reported increased involvement in relationships of their adults with intellectual disabilities. They discussed different barriers and expectations for these relationships compared to typically developing children. Parents struggled to determine appropriate levels of involvement in the romantic relationships of their children with intellectual disabilities.

Conclusion

This study highlights the need for coaching and mentoring for parents to help them navigate experiences successfully.

KEYWORDS:

• Intellectual disability
• intimate relationships
• parents

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this study was provided by the Michigan State University College of Social Science Dissertation Completion Fellowship.