Empowerment in intellectual disabilities.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The meaning of empowerment in intellectual disabilities: service users’ perspectives.
IRAS ID
218134
Contact name
Bethan Horsley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Staffordshire University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 8 days
Research summary
The meaning of empowerment in intellectual disabilities: service users’ perspectives.
Research question: ‘What is empowerment from a service user with intellectual disabilities perspective?’
The term intellectual disability is used to describe someone who has impaired intellectual functioning plus two behavioural deficits or excesses which affects their quality of life.
Empowerment can have different meanings in different contexts. Here empowerment is looking at the opportunities those without an intellectual disability have e.g. choice over care, housing and having a job/volunteer opportunity to see if these areas are important to people with an intellectual disability.
Empowerment in intellectual disability has received a lot of attention in government papers and research over recent years, yet there seems to be a lack of service user’s perspective. This research hopes to contribute to the service user voice on empowerment. Although this is an exploratory piece of research, which is not generalisable, it is hoped this study will highlight the views and opinions service users with an intellectual disability have on empowerment.
Empowerment will be explored through a method known as Q methodology. Participants will be given cards with pictures and words on that display areas of empowerment e.g. housing, finance and care choices. Participants will place the cards on a grid to show how important each area is to the participant, this is done individually with each participant. Participants will be recruited from a NHS trust and a day service in Staffordshire. Participants will be over the age of 18 and have a diagnosis of an intellectual disability.
The research is being completed as part of the Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, currently be undertaken by the chief investigator.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NE/0081
Date of REC Opinion
21 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion