Abstract

MORA ANTO, Adriana; CORDOBA ANDRADE, Leonor; BEDOYA URREGO, Ángela María  and  VERDUGO, Miguel Ángel. Characteristics of quality of life in families with an adult with intellectual disability / mental retardation in Cali, Colombia. Diversitas [online]. 2007, vol.3, n.1, pp. 37-54. ISSN 1794-9998.

One hundred and fifty eight families of adults with intellectual disability were interviewed; their average age was 38.8. Of these, 85.4% had medical service, 85.4% hadn’t attended school, and 24.4% knew how to read or write. The average age of caretakers was 60 years. 48.9% of these manifested satisfaction with their quality of life, whereas, 20.2% expressed dissatisfaction. However, the efficiency of support was rated very low in the following proportions: 59.9% in educative support received and 51% with no expectations for improvement; 52.3% in spiritual support received, and 91.7% with no expectations for improvement; and 17.6% in health support received, and 79.4 with no expectations for improvement. Furthermore, psychosocial support was perceived as inefficient or unnecessary, without hope for improvement.

Keywords : Family; Quality of life; Intellectual disability/mental retardation; Social networks.

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