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Introduction: Family members are often the main provider of informal support to people with mild intellectual disabilities. In the current study, we explored whether their family-based social capital is prospectively associated with their wellbeing and emotional and behavioral problems. Methods: Sixty-nine participants with mild intellectual disabilities and key (proxy reporting) staff members participated in two waves of data collection (T1, T2). Data were collected about family-based social capital (FNM-ID), subjective wellbeing (PWI-ID), and emotional and behavioral problems (ABCL, BPI-01). Results: People who reported less support provision to family members and more reciprocal family support relationships at T1 experienced higher levels of internalizing behavior problems at T2, after accounting for T1 levels of internalizing behavior problems. No other associations were found between earlier family-based social capital dimensions and psychological outcomes at T2. Conclusion: Our study provides initial insights regarding the prospective associations between the family-based social capital of people with mild intellectual disabilities and their wellbeing and emotional and behavioral problems. Future studies should include larger samples to investigate if our preliminary results are replicated.

Background: Sexual health includes physical, emotional, mental, and social wellbeing related to sexuality. Given people with mild intellectual disabilities' reliance on relatives and support staff, it is important to explore the latter's understanding of sexual health. Method: Relatives (n = 7) and support staff (n = 15) of people with mild intellectual disabilities participated in a concept mapping procedure that included brainstorming, sorting and ranking activities. An expert group interpreted the results. n n Results: Relatives and support staff identified aspects of sexual health of people with mild intellectual disabilities, including sexual preferences, sexual behaviour and support and education. While relatives prioritised relationships, support staff emphasised sexual identity. Conclusions: The study highlights the necessity of adopting a comprehensive approach to sexual health for people with mild intellectual disabilities. This approach should consider developmental perspectives, incorporating support, education and a positive attitude towards their sexual health. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Background: Moving out of the family home is a key transition for people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Yet there has been little research about parents' experiences of planning the move of their young adult offspring to residential settings offering 24-hour support. Method: Interviews were conducted with eleven parents whose offspring moved to residential settings within the past 5 years (five fathers; six mothers). They consisted of structured questions about planning their offsprings' moves and semi-structured questions about parents' experiences. Results: Content analysis of the structured questions revealed reasons parents began thinking about the moves and routes to finding information. The thematic analysis highlighted the emotional challenges parents faced. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need to address this neglected topic and ensure that practical and emotional support is put in place to plan positive futures, rather than relying on families to use their own initiative or waiting until a crisis occurs.

Background: In this study, agents working in positions of authority within health sector organisations shared their perspectives concerning both the involvement of experts by experience with intellectual disabilities within their own organisations and their recommendations as to how best to involve experts by experience in policy and practice. Method: Using purposive sampling, eight agents were selected for semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The results indicated the importance of involving experts by experience. However, they also highlighted several barriers such as a lack of emphasis on genuine attention, insufficient visibility and recognition of expertise, and a lack of support for sustainable inclusion. Conclusions: Agents are willing to involve experts by experience in health sector organisations, but practical challenges hindered them from actually doing so. This study emphasises the importance to find solutions for better inclusion in policies.