The meaning of adulthood for emerging adults with Down syndrome: Parent perspectives on relevant skills

Background Parents' conceptualizations of adulthood for their emerging adults with Down syndrome have the potential to impact the transition planning process as families prepare for life after graduation. Aims This study aimed to explore parent perceptions of the meaning of adulthood for their...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities 2024-09, Vol.37 (5), p.e13286-n/a
Main Authors: Long, Katherine L., Karimi, Atefeh, Mini, Antonella, Stephens, Dionne P., Nelson, Eliza L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
community living
Down syndrome
Down Syndrome - psychology
emerging adulthood
Female
Humans
Intellectual disabilities
Male
Middle Aged
Parents & parenting
Parents - psychology
Qualitative Research
Skill development
Teenagers
transition
Transitions
Young Adult
Young adults
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Summary:Background Parents' conceptualizations of adulthood for their emerging adults with Down syndrome have the potential to impact the transition planning process as families prepare for life after graduation. Aims This study aimed to explore parent perceptions of the meaning of adulthood for their emerging adults with Down syndrome. Methods In this qualitative study, we interviewed 11 parents of emerging adults with Down syndrome using phenomenological methodology and analysed these data using thematic analysis. Results Three topics emerged: (1) Parents' constructions of the meaning of adulthood; (2) Parents' perceptions about the transition to adulthood; and (3) Parents' perceptions of current adult life skills. Ten themes arose out of these topics. Conclusions Parents expressed ambivalence about the meaning of adulthood for their emerging adults with Down syndrome, sharing that in some ways they were adults and in others they were not. The meaning of adulthood was closely tied to obtained skills, particularly those related to personal safety.
ISSN:1360-2322
1468-3148
1468-3148
DOI:10.1111/jar.13286