Irish mothers' experiences of providing support in decision‐making to adults with intellectual disabilities: A qualitative study.

ATTITUDES of mothers; FAMILY support; RESEARCH methodology; PSYCHOLOGICAL vulnerability; TIME; INTERVIEWING; FAMILY conflict; EXPERIENCE; QUALITATIVE research; PATIENT-family relations; DECISION making; THEMATIC analysis; DATA analysis software; INTELLECTUAL disabilities; IRISH people

Background: Supported decision‐making may increase self‐determination among adults with intellectual disabilities by encouraging and empowering them to make decisions about their lives to the greatest extent possible. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of mothers of adults with intellectual disabilities in Ireland of providing support in decision‐making. Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with seven mothers who had an adult son or daughter with an intellectual disability; transcripts were thematically analysed. Findings: Three main themes were identified: support (family, services and routine), decision‐making (importance, ability and Capacity Act) and challenges (conflict, time, complex and enduring support needs and vulnerability). Conclusions: The findings indicate that although mothers were supportive of the rights of their adult children with intellectual disabilities to make their own decisions, they were often hesitant to fully relinquish control in an effort to protect and guide them. Accessible summary: People with intellectual disabilities have a right to make their own choices.Sometimes people with intellectual disabilities need support from other people, such as family members, to make choices.This study asked mothers about their experiences of caring for an adult son or daughter with an intellectual disability and supporting them in making choices.The findings showed that mothers sometimes found it hard to let their son/daughter with an intellectual disability make their own choices as they wanted to keep them safe.This research will be helpful in finding ways to support people with intellectual disabilities and their families in making choices together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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