Abstract IASSIDD 2021
Attitudes to parenthood in youth with ID – intervention as a means for informed choices
Eva Randell, Patrik Arvidsson, Gunnel Janeslätt, Berit Höglund
AIM The aim of our study was to investigate the attitudes to future parenthood in youth with intellectual disabilities (ID) before and after an intervention in special upper schools.
Methods: This is a controlled intervention study, with inclusions of new students in autumn each year for three consecutive years. Participants (n=107) were students with mild or moderate ID age 16 – 20 years old with informed consent. Data were collected before and after the intervention. The Infant Simulator Attitude Scale (ISA) was used to measure attitudes concerning future parenthood. The intervention included a combination of 13 weekly theoretical lessons and practical care with the RCB simulator during 3 days. The theoretical lessons were held at school ones a week using the Toolkit “Children—what does that involve?” (ASVZ). The practical care endured a three day and night caring session when the RCB simulator at home.
Results: Preliminary data shows no significant differences but some change in attitudes were discovered.
Conclusions: Possibly the instrument was not optimal for this purpose. However, the results indicate that the intervention can change attitudes and thereby give insights and help youth with ID to make informed choices of adult life and of parenthood.
Key words: intervention study, youth with ID, parenthood, school
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Authors
Eva Randell, PhD, Senior Lecturer Social Work, Dalarna University, Sweden
Patrik Arvidsson, PhD, Clin. Psychologist, Centre for Research & Development, Uppsala University/Region Gävleborg, Gävle, Sweden and Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Gunnel Janeslätt, PhD, OT(reg) Center for Clinical Research in Dalarna, Associated to Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Disability and Habilitation, Uppsala University, Sweden
Berit Höglund, Associate Professor, midwife, Department of Women´s and Children´s Health, Uppsala University, Sweden
2021.