Medium-term social effects of COVID-19 measures among individuals with intellectual disabilities
People with an intellectual disability have fewer contacts with other people. They also feel lonely more often than others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were measures that made contact with others and participation in activities more difficult. And even after the pandemic, it remained a challenge for people with ID to participate in activities again. Or to see other people. The question is how this will develop further and what the impact is.
Goal
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were measures to reduce social contacts between people. This research explores the impact of these measures on the social contacts of people with an intellectual disability. We also explore whether they currently have fewer or different social contacts, now we are few years after the pandemic. We also investigate what they think about a possible change in their social contacts.
Approach
We use data from previous research with questionnaires. We administered these questionnaires to relatives of people with an intellectual disability before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will administer these questionnaires again in 2024. In this way we compare social contacts before, during and after the pandemic. We compare the results with those of the general population. We also interview people with intellectual disabilities themselves about their experiences with social contacts. And we conduct additional interviews with relatives to gain more insight into exactly how the social network has changed.
Collaboration partners
The partners that collaborate in this project include Nivel, University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht University, Vereniging Gehandicaptenzorg Nederland, Iederin and Landelijk Kenniscentrum LVB. The research parties have experience with research among and with people with intellectual disabilities and/or with research into social contacts. We also work together with organizations that represent the interests of people with intellectual disabilities. They bring in the perspective of people with an intellectual disability and their relatives.
(Expected) Results
This research will show the impact of a pandemic on the social contacts of people with intellectual disabilities. Policymakers can use the results for their decisions about measures in a next pandemic. The research also provides information about the support that people with intellectual disabilities will need during a new pandemic. This mainly concerns support to maintain their social contacts. We expect the results in mid-2026.