AbstractBackground/Objectives:
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, specifically those with severe and profound intellectual disabilities (SPIDs), are likely to experience poorer health outcomes than those without disabilities or those with mild or moderate intellectual disabilities. Little information is available regarding physical activity (PA) among adults with SPIDs with mobility impairments (MIs). In this qualitative study, we explored the experience of PA among those with SPIDs/MIs based on the perspectives of family caregivers.
Methods
:
Eight semistructured interviews were conducted with family caregivers to obtain data about care recipients’ experiences with PA. Reflexivity journals/field notes corroborated, supplemented, or challenged emergent themes.
Results
:
Using the 5 constructs of the socioecological model (SEM), 17 themes emerged.
Intrapersonal
factors included attitudes, physical aspects, knowledge, and values, while
Interpersonal
themes focused on support systems both within the home, outside the home, and along with home environment considerations.
Organizational
influences encompassed disability-inclusive organizations, academic institutions, and medical institutions, whereas
Community
-level factors involved environmental conditions and priorities.
Policy
-related themes covered home and community-based services, financial aspects, academic programming, accessibility, and hospital policies. Among PA facilitators identified by family caregivers, the most prevalent were the recognition of PA preferences as highly individualized; the encouragement of PA possibilities; and accessibility related to buildings, outdoor spaces, and transportation. Conversely, the most reported barriers included inaccessibility in these same areas; the care recipients’ reliance on caregivers or others; and limitations caused by diagnoses, bodily structure, pain, or weakness.
Conclusion
:
Understanding how each level of the SEM, along with the associated themes, barriers, and facilitators, impacts PA can greatly enhance health outcomes for individuals with SPIDs/MIs. Fitness and wellness professionals are uniquely positioned to help family caregivers access and provide PA services and support to those with these disabilities.
