Self-concept among adults with intellectual disability in relation to quality of life

Abstract

Education and training of persons with intellectual disabilities are now not limited to only very basic needs of life. Today, there is a growing concern of an ideal quality life for persons with disabilities which has also been supported by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and as of now it is their inherent right. In the present study investigator tried to find out relationship between self-concept and quality of life among adults with intellectual disability (AwID), for which sample of 50 students were selected using purposive sampling techniques from Government Rehabilitation Institute for Intellectual Disabilities (GRIID), Chandigarh falling under the category of mild intellectual disability (IQ- 50-70). Descriptive research was employed in which Self Concept Scale developed by Ahluwalia & Singh (1986) and World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL- BREF (1996) to assess self-concept and quality of life respectively were used. Product moment correlation and t-test were used which revealed that males exhibited a higher level of self-concept and quality of life compared to female adults with intellectual disability. The results also reveal that with increase in the age of adults with intellectual disability, there comes a wisdom of maturity and responsibility, which might lead to have a clearer idea about self-concept and quality of life. Thus, there is a positive correlation between self-concept and quality of life among adults with intellectual disability leading to conclusion that AwID who have a better self-concept will have the better quality of life. Hence, these two variables are positively correlated.