Abstract
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face challenges, such as decreased access to physical, environmental, and social health-related services that can negatively impact their overall quality of life (QoL). Additionally, people living in rural communities may experience geographic distancing and other factors, like decreased transportation and available housing, that contribute to increased isolation and decreased health outcomes, overall. It is important to consider the QoL of people with IDD living in these communities given the additional intersectional constraints of rurality and having an intellectual disability or other co-occurring conditions. A secondary data analysis reviewed closed and open-ended survey data of respondents with IDD and care partners of people with IDD (n = 140). Results indicated that urban and rural-dwelling people with IDD and care partners had similar experiences. Some themes from the data included experiences of social isolation, the need for improved transportation and housing, and accessible healthcare and community resources. This data suggests comparable reported resource needs for people with IDD in both rural and urban sectors of rural states and demonstrates the need for continued study into resource disparities for this population. Future investigation should prioritize resource development related to the QoL of individuals with IDD and their care partners in both rural and urban geographic settings.
Plain Language Summary
People who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and live in rural areas often have a hard time finding the help they need to be healthy and make their lives better. This includes things to improve their quality of life such as going to the doctor or having safe housing. Researchers looked at information from surveys that people with IDD and their care partners filled out to see what people needed in their communities. This survey took place in a rural state where there was only one bigger city. They found that whether these people lived in small towns or a big city, they faced the same problems. This showed that no matter where they live, the people surveyed with IDD and their care partners might need the same kind of help to have a better life. More research is needed to understand this issue more and focus on giving people with disabilities what they need to make their lives better, whether they live in rural communities or in the city.
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Recommended Citation
Smith, Alyssa M. and Caudill, Allison
(2024)
"Impact of county-level urbanicity on quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a rural state.,"
Developmental Disabilities Network Journal: Vol. 4:
Iss.
2, Article 11.
DOI: 10.59620/2694-1104.1103
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/ddnj/vol4/iss2/11