Young Adults with Intellectual Disability Not Participating in Employment, Education or Daily Activity: Social Relationships and Experiences of Belonging

Abstract

A sense of belonging can be created through social relationships with other people but also through engagement in arenas such as work, school or leisure activities. The aim of the study was to examine the social relationships of young adults with intellectual disability who are not in employment, education or daily activity, as well as how these relationships are conditions for experiences of belonging. Semi-structured interviews with 10 individuals were conducted followed by thematic analysis. The results show that despite not having a daily occupation, the target group has meaningful social relationships that are informal (family, friends and online) and organized (professionals and leisure activities) in nature. These relationships contribute to a sense of belonging. Moreover, aspects related to having an intellectual disability, to being a young adult and their occupational status influence the groups’ relationships and experiences of belonging.