Personal experiences of living with an intellectual disability

Whitney, Gemma

Abstract

This portfolio thesis contains three separate parts; a systematic literature review, an empirical study and corresponding appendices.

Part one is a systematic literature review, in which the theoretical, conceptual and empirical literature relating to the experiences of individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) in the post-secondary transitional period is reviewed. A systematic database search was carried out which identified 11 papers suitable for review. Thematic synthesis was used to analyse the data and a quality assessment was completed. Four themes were derived from the data which were, ‘Transition’, ‘Influential roles’, ‘Role of students with ID’, and ‘Outcomes’. Implications of the findings and considerations for future review are discussed.

Part two is an empirical paper, which explores the lived experiences of people with ID, utilising theories from Second Wave Positive Psychology and a Dual-System’s Model. Nine adults with ID were interviewed. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the data. Three superordinate and six subthemes were identified. The superordinate themes were, ‘Identity’, ‘Managing Life’s Difficulties’, and ‘Approaches to Life’. Implications, considerations for future research, strengths and limitations are discussed.

Part three comprises the appendices, which contain the approval letter from the Faculty of Health and Social Care Research Ethics Committee at the University of Hull, documents used in the empirical research, a reflective statement considering the research process and an epistemological statement.

Citation

Whitney, G. (2017). Personal experiences of living with an intellectual disability. (Thesis). University of Hull. Retrieved from https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4220586

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Aug 13, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Keywords: Clinical psychology
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4220586
• Additional Information: Department of Psychological Health and Wellbeing, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Sep 1, 2017