The nature and quality of friendship for older adults with an intellectual disability in Ireland.

BACKGROUND

Friendship is important to quality of life, yet people with intellectual disability have more restricted social networks and fewer friends outside family and support staff.

METHOD

Data from a nationally representative longitudinal study of older adults with intellectual disability (aged >40) examined rates and types of friends. Factors associated with having a best friend and friendship quality were explored.

RESULTS

A large majority (92.4%) had friends but just over half (52%) had a best friend. Co-resident friends (71.8%) were more common than non-resident friends (62%), while staff friendships (62.5%) were important. The majority of best friends were peers with intellectual disability (63.2%), carer/service providers (15.9%) or family (8.4%). Challenging behaviour and communication difficulty were associated with reduced likelihood of having a best friend. A best friend with intellectual disability was associated with lower friendship quality scores.

CONCLUSION

Limited choice and social opportunity may result in a precarious form of friendship for older people with intellectual disability that undermines their quality of life.