Cultural affordance, social relationships, and narratives of independence: Understanding the meaning of social care for adults with intellectual disabilities from minority ethnic groups in the UK

Michael Larkin*, Gemma Unwin, Malvika Iyer, Ioanna Tsimopoulou, Sofia Zahid, Kulsoom Malik, Biza Stenfert Kroese, John L. Rose

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the perspective of adults with intellectual disabilities from minority ethnic groups, on their relationship with social care services. Methods: Thirty-two adults took part in semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were analyzed within a Pluralist framework, adopting the structure of Template Analysis and then drawing on phenomenological, narrative, and discursive approaches. Results: Our participants were generally positive about the services which they received, which they evaluated primarily in terms of their continuing good relationship(s) with specific workers. Our respondents were sophisticated users of cultural resources and identities; the concept of ‘cultural affordance’ may be useful alternative to ‘cultural competence’. We discuss three distinctive narratives about independence (Stability; Progress; Resistance). Each highlights the importance of maintaining connectedness to others, and the crucial role played by ownership of decision-making. Conclusions: We have developed a set of resources which service providers (and researchers) can use with people with intellectual disabilities, in order to support mutual understanding, service planning and delivery.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)195-203
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Developmental Disabilities
Volume64
Issue number3
Early online date8 Jun 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Jun 2018

Bibliographical note

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in International Journal of Developmental Disabilities on 8 June 2018, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/20473869.2018.1469807

Keywords

  • culture
  • ethnicity
  • independence
  • interviews
  • pluralist
  • relationships
  • social care

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