Family quality of life of Ghanaian families raising people with intellectual disability

Abstract

This study examined the family quality of life (FQOL) of people with intellectual disabilities (PWID). Participants were 176 Ghanaian parents of PWID (mothers = 71.6%). The mean age of the parents was 41.64 years (SD = 9.21 years). The parents completed the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale. Descriptive analysis revealed that while the parents of PWID were satisfied with overall FQOL, they were least satisfied with FQOL subdomains including disability-related support, physical/material well-being, and emotional well-being. There was evidence of variabilities within FQOL among families raising PWID. Female parents of PWID reported a higher overall FQOL than male parents. Parents who had male children with intellectual disability reported a higher overall FQOL, compared to those who had female children with intellectual disability. Our findings highlight the need for FQOL support for families of PWID and a need to develop interventions to improve different aspects of FQOL for higher family life satisfaction.