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Background: A positive conception of sexuality among people with intellectual disabilities is crucial and relies on several social and interpersonal contexts. The goal of this study is to analyse the interaction and impact of three different contextual groups: individuals with intellectual disabilities, their parents, and professionals working with them. Methods: Survey data were collected from 330 people with intellectual disabilities attending occupational centres in eastern Spain, 330 parents, and 100 professionals. Results: Correlation and variance analyses of dyad-level data show significant differences among the three groups in all variables. Professionals perceived people with intellectual disabilities to have higher knowledge of socio-sexual norms than people with intellectual disabilities actually appear to be, but they are also more concerned about aspects related to this area of people with intellectual disabilities. Compared to people with intellectual disabilities and professionals, parents perceived people with intellectual disabilities to have lower sexual knowledge. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates inconsistent perceived knowledge of people with intellectual disabilities' socio-sexual norms and sexual knowledge among the three groups, leading to disparate levels of concern regarding people with intellectual disabilities sexuality. Thus, the need to collect information from different perspectives for more accurate reporting and the critical need for sex education programs that involve the target population, but also parents and professionals who frequently interact with people with intellectual disabilities are highlighted.

In this study, we analyse the characteristics that define an ideal school, from the perspective of people with intellectual disabilities. we carried out an inclusive research qualitative study with 36 Spanish adults with intellectual disabilities. Information from individual interviews about educational inclusion was summarized on to notecards, allowing participants to place messages into categories on a poster board. Identified themes included facilities and resources; values and rules; intimidation; what students learn; how students learn best; exams; teachers; and classmates. Results highlight the importance of inclusive values and the need for a curriculum that meets the needs of all students.

Background: For decades, the field of quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities has focused on the improving the external life conditions. However, scarce research has examined the contribution of person-related psychological resources such as emotional competence (EC) on well-being in this population. Materials and Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, 139 adults with intellectual disabilities completed different measures: Subjective Happiness Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale and Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale. Results: Emotional competence shows a positive and significant association with life satisfaction and happiness. EC dimensions were predictors of well-being beyond socio-demographic variables and dispositional affectivity. Conclusions: Our findings provide preliminary evidence of the potential value of considering EC in the improvement in the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities. Professionals interested in intellectual disabilities care might consider training programmes based on EC as an additional intervention strategy aimed at improving well-being. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)

Background: The problem of mobbing has attracted a great deal of attention over the past few years. This concern has increased the study of the phenomena, which has resulted in many scientific publications. Mobbing has been characterized as an emerging risk at work. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of some psychosocial factors at work--role clarity, interpersonal conflicts and social support--on mobbing and its consequences--that is, inclination towards absenteeism and psychosomatic disorders. Materials and methods: The sample included 422 employees working with people with intellectual disabilities. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses. Results: The Hypothesized model showed an adequate fit to data, and all hypothesized relationships were significant. Conclusions: The results of this study provide support for the mediator role of mobbing in the relationship between high role ambiguity, low social support and high interpersonal conflicts and psychosomatic disorders and inclination towards absenteeism. (Contains 1 table and 2 figures.)

Background: Support from professionals plays an important role in helping people with intellectual disabilities to live an independent life. This research aims to analyse the role played by support professionals based on the perceptions of the professionals and self‐advocates with intellectual disabilities. The research was conducted in Catalonia (Spain). Method: A total of 33 interviews were conducted with front‐line managers and 10 focus groups with 72 self‐advocates. These were recorded and transcribed, and then analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: Self‐advocates particularly value professionals' interpersonal skills and emotional support. Front‐line managers and self‐advocates highlight training actions aimed at enhancing autonomy in the home and propose fostering natural supports and increasing the involvement of people with disabilities. Conclusions: Making progress in the rights of people with intellectual disabilities to an independent life requires requires transforming the support model, promoting decision making among people with intellectual disabilities, and strengthening interpersonal skills linked to emotional support in the training of professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this paper, we illustrate the extent to which building an inclusive research team and the selection of a research topic, based on a collaborative group approach, constitute key elements of inclusive research. Method: The selection and analysis of activities and methodological strategies, extracted from the recordings of the research meetings, offer clues about the creation of collaborative and deliberative research spaces. Results: Some of the elements that reaffirm the inclusive nature of this research are as follows: contributions by all members of the research team receive equal recognition, the particular interests of all of those involved are taken into account and research strategies that are supported in different languages encourage the participation of all researchers. Conclusions: We need to review our practices in order to identify the added value of this type of work and move towards research training proposals that promote the research ownership of people with intellectual disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study analysed the impact that COVID‐19 and the response measures implemented by the Spanish Government have had on families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Method: Data on 323 family members (M = 52.3 years old; SD = 10.5) were collected through an online survey, which was focused on analysing difficulties experienced and service provision during lockdown. Results: Many families (66.3%) have seen their level of stress increased during lockdown because of, among other reasons, a greater burden of care. Difficulties were associated with the closure and changes in disability‐related services. Families of people with extensive support needs have generally experienced greater difficulties. Conclusion: Support services should have been considered essential services during lockdown. The failure to receive support has resulted in excessive burden on families, who had to assume a multitude of roles to support their family member with intellectual and developmental disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Overweight and obesity are major health risk factors in people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of a multicomponent programme (physical activity, diet and motivation) for overweight and obesity in adults with intellectual disabilities. Material and Methods A quasi-experimental design with repeated-measures and non-equivalent control group (n = 33, n = 31) was used. The programme was conducted over 17 weeks, with follow-up at 6 months in a sample of Spanish adults with a mild and moderate intellectual disability from a community occupational day centre, aged from 23 to 50, 40.6% of which were women. Results A significant reduction in weight and diastolic blood pressure was obtained over time, and this reduction was maintained in the follow-up for weight. Reduction in heart rate was only marginally significant. Conclusions The treatment was effective in reducing overweight and obesity, improving cardiovascular capacity and therefore the physical health of the participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some studies suggest that children and adolescents with intellectual disability (ID) are at elevated risk of obesity. The objective was to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with overweight and obesity among students attending special education schools in Cantabria, Spain. Methods: Cross‐sectional design. A sample of n = 220 students with intellectual disability attending seven special education schools was selected using convenience sampling. Body mass index was classified into four categories according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria: underweight; normal weight; overweight; obesity. Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 40.9% (95% CI: 34.6–47.5). Obesity was more frequent among females (26.0%) than males (9.8%), with an OR = 3.23 (95% CI: 1.53–6.85). Participants with Down syndrome showed an increased risk of obesity compared to other conditions (p =.005). Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight/obesity among children, adolescents and young adults with intellectual disability was remarkably high, with females in general and students of both sexes with Down syndrome at particularly high risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People with intellectual developmental disorders have significant health disparities and a lack of proper attention to their health needs. They have been underrepresented in scientific research, and very few studies have been carried out using a representative randomized sample. The aim of this study was to describe the methods used in the POMONA‐ESP project to recruit a representative and randomized sample of participants with intellectual developmental disorders. Methods: The POMONA‐ESP project is an observational cross‐sectional study. It aims to explore the health status of people with intellectual developmental disorders across Spain and the use they make of health services. Results and conclusions: The results of the POMONA‐ESP project may have a major impact on people with intellectual developmental disorders and society in general. It is the first study to obtain geographically representative epidemiological data from a large sample, information that is fundamental to improving care and healthcare planning for people with intellectual developmental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study was carried out in Spain with the aim of identifying the changes that the health system should make to improve healthcare access for older adults with intellectual disability. Three hundred and sixty‐nine family members and professionals expressed their opinion on how healthcare access could be improved. Participants responded to two open‐ended questions included in a general survey about the health status of older individuals with intellectual disability. Most informants were women and professionals who had known the person with intellectual disability for more than 12 months. A system of categories, which showed good inter‐rater agreement, was developed to analyse participants' written responses. Both family members and professionals emphasized the need to improve disability training for healthcare practitioners and highlighted the urgent need for flexibility in the structure of a healthcare system that currently overlooks the specific needs of this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this paper was to summarize the main results of the POMONA‐ESP project, the first study to explore health status in a large representative, randomized and stratified sample of people with intellectual developmental disorders in Spain. Methods: The POMONA‐ESP project collected information about the health of 953 individuals with intellectual developmental disorders. Results: Diseases such as urinary incontinence, oral problems, epilepsy, constipation or obesity were highly prevalent among the participants; with gender‐differentiated prevalences for certain conditions, and age and intellectual disability level as risk factors for disease. Overmedication was common in the sample, and drugs were often prescribed without any clinical indication or follow‐up. The present authors also found a lack of important relevant information about the participant's health and a lack of adequate genetic counselling. Conclusions: Our findings may contribute to a better understanding of health status and needs of people with intellectual developmental disorders and suggest several courses of action to improve their health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses job satisfaction and differences in factors affecting it among workers with an intellectual disability and mental illness (MI) depending on their work regime [special employment regime (SER) or occupational service (OS)]. To do so, answers were analysed from 874 participants on a Job Satisfaction Scale used in sheltered workshops in Spain. The results indicate that job satisfaction among workers with intellectual disability and MI in both the SER and the OS regimes is high, with the highest job satisfaction deriving from the Items of communicating problems to resolve them. The lowest levels of job satisfaction are related to the opportunity to take decisions and participate at work. In the majority of the Items analysed, no differences were found on the basis of the age groups considered nor the gender of the participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The study assesses the support needs of individuals with intellectual disability and their families in Catalonia. The present authors examine family quality of life ( FQoL), identify the individual services required and assess families' perceptions of the extent to which their family member with intellectual disability and they themselves receive the services they need. Materials and Methods The N& S questionnaire ( Needs and Supports for people with intellectual disability and their families) was administered to 2160 families with a family member with intellectual disability aged under 70 in Catalonia ( Spain). Results Overall mean FQoL was quite high. FQoL was associated with family income, education, employment and percentage level of disability. Neither people with intellectual disability nor their families receive the specific support they need. Conclusions Besides providing specific support for individuals with intellectual disability, local policymakers and practitioners should apply a family-centred approach to the provision of support for families in order to improve FQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic might negatively impact the quality of life and functional autonomy of Spanish adults with intellectual disability, and meaningful activities could prevent this negative progression. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study in Spanish adults with intellectual disability during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Quality of life, functional autonomy and functional independence were measured. The meaningful activities studied were structured‐leisure, community self‐management, and occupational and physical activities. Results: Seventy‐three participants were included in the study. Quality of life and functional autonomy significantly deteriorated during the COVID‐19 pandemic (all p >.001). Greater participation in community self‐management activities before COVID‐19 was associated with less detriment to quality of life (ß = −.312; p =.008), while greater participation in occupational and physical activities was associated with less detriment to the performance of instrumental activities (ß = −.317; p =.016; and ß = −.285; p =.030, respectively). Conclusion: People with intellectual disability living in residential homes experienced a decrease in their quality of life and functional autonomy during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Their involvement in community self‐management activities and physical and occupational activities before the pandemic had preventive effects on the detriment to the quality of life and functional autonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of adult patients with Down syndrome admitted to Spanish hospitals between 1997 and 2014. Secondary goals were to study trend changes over time, and to analyse differences between patients admitted to medical and surgical departments. Patients and Methods: Retrospective observational study on data collected from the Minimum Basic Dataset (MBDS, Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos [CMBD]) of admissions of adults with Down syndrome to hospitals belonging to the Spanish National Health System from 1 January 1997 through 31 December 2014. We analysed epidemiological and clinical variables. Results: We analysed 28,716 admissions of 16,874 adult patients with Down syndrome. Men accounted for 58.2% of the sample, and the mean age on admission was 41 ± 13 years, with an 11‐year increase in mean age during the study period. Admissions among persons with Down syndrome increased by 5% during the study period, with a noticeable rise in admissions of older adults and to medical departments. Almost one‐third of patients (31.8%) were admitted more than once. Age‐adjusted mortality was 15.7%. The most common comorbid conditions were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (25%), hypothyroidism (18.6%), and epilepsy (14.3%). The departments with the highest numbers of admissions were internal medicine (26.3%), pulmonary medicine (6.9%), and general surgery (5.25%). Conclusion: Hospital admissions among Spanish adults with Down syndrome have increased in recent decades, especially in older patients. We identified substantial differences between patients admitted to medical and surgical departments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The people with Down syndrome who are now adolescents can face a self‐report questionnaire with guarantees of being answered with validity to evaluate areas of development that traditionally have not been able to be evaluated. This is the case of emotional intelligence, measured in this research with the Emotional Quotient Inventory: Youth Version‐EQ‐i:YV. Aims: To validate and analyse the scale's psychometric properties in adolescents with Down syndrome. Methods: A two‐stage cross‐sectional investigation was conducted. The inventory consists of 60 items that measure 5 dimensions. The test was administered to 644 adolescents with Down syndrome. We carried out exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Outcomes: The 5‐factor structure of the test was confirmed. The internal consistency of four dimensions and the EQ‐i:YV's total calculated score yielded high values. Conclusions: This new version of the EQ‐i:YV represents a valid and reliable tool to assess emotional intelligence in Spanish adolescents with Down syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective was to describe the main causes of hospitalization in people with Angelman syndrome (AS). Method: Population‐based cross‐sectional study in the Community of Madrid (CM), Spain. The information source for AS cases was the information system for rare diseases in the CM. Variables related to hospitalization, for the period 2006–2014, were the following: number of episodes, outcome, main cause, length of stay and type of admission. Main causes of hospitalization were described by age group and sex. Results: The most frequent causes of hospitalization were the following: oral–dental care (28.9%), seizures (19.6%), orthopaedic problems (14.4%) and acute respiratory disorders (12.4%). The percentage of hospitalizations was higher for oral–dental care in women and for orthopaedic problems in men (p‐value <.05). Hospitalizations for an acute respiratory disorder were higher in adults (p‐value <.05). Conclusions: Some differences in the causes of hospitalization of people with AS were observed by sex and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Studies of people with developmental disabilities suggest that participation in leisure activities might be a key factor for good quality of life. This study explores the relationships between objective and subjective quality of life and leisure participation of adults with developmental disabilities. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional design was used with a convenience sample of 125 people, aged 17-65, living in the community. Participants completed the subjective scale of Integral Quality Scale and the Leisure Assessment Inventory in the form of an individual interview. Staff completed the GENCAT Scale. Results No relationship was found between objective quality of life and leisure participation. However, correlations between some leisure participation dimensions and specific subjective quality of life domains were observed. The results establish a predictive relationship between leisure participation and material, emotional, and physical well-being. Personal and environmental variables analyzed were not found to have a moderating effect on the relationship between leisure participation and quality of life. Conclusions These findings indicate that some aspects of leisure participation may significantly contribute to enhancing the quality of life of young people and adults with developmental disabilities living in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the perceived quality of working life of workers with intellectual disabilities. Specifically, this paper looks at participants' perceptions in relation to perceived job demands and resources and their impact on experienced job satisfaction. In this cross-sectional survey, 507 workers with intellectual disabilities, employed in either sheltered workshops or supported employment, completed questionnaires on the quality of working life through semi-structured interviews. Regression analyses showed that perceived low job demands and elevated social support from coworkers and supervisors predicted higher quality of working life. Common organizational psychology measures can be successfully used with this population to assess quality of working life. This study confirms the multidimensional nature of quality of working life, and the impact of job demands and available resources on perceived satisfaction with job for workers with intellectual disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]