The significance of neighbours: views and experiences of people with intellectual disability on neighbouring

Authors: van Alphen, L. M.; Dijker, A. J. M.; van den Borne, H. H. W.; Curfs, L. M. G.

Source: Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, Volume 53, Number 8, August 2009 , pp. 745-757(13)

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Abstract:

Background

People with intellectual disability (ID) who live in regular neighbourhoods have experiences with their neighbours, which are important to understand when studying social integration. Method

This study describes and analyses the opinions on, and experiences with, neighbour relationships of 39 people with ID living in neighbourhood housing facilities. Results

We found that, while the views of people with ID on `good neighbouring' were consistent with `neighbouring' described in sociological literature, their experiences may be influenced by an organisational context, the tendency to formalise relationships and apprehension towards meeting unfamiliar people. Conclusion

Understanding influential factors to neighbouring for people with ID may shed light on the processes involved in social integration of people with ID at a neighbourhood level. This paper contributes to understanding the opinions of people with ID on satisfactory neighbourhood relationships, and explores opportunities to improve them.

Keywords: inclusive research; intellectual disability; neighbourhood; neighbouring; social integration

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2788.2009.01188.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands

Publication date: 2009-08-01