Evaluating quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities in Saudi Arabia: Guardian perspectives.
Saudi boys with ID are seen as having less self-determination and emotional well-being than girls, so target these skills in therapy.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Alqazlan (2025) asked 142 Saudi parents to rate the quality of life of their sons and daughters with intellectual disability.
Parents answered a standard survey about eight life areas, including self-determination and friendships.
All youth were between 5 and 18 years old and lived at home.
What they found
Guardians gave moderate overall scores.
Boys scored lower than girls in self-determination and emotional well-being.
Parents with less schooling also rated their children lower in these same areas.
How this fits with other research
Agiovlasitis et al. (2025) ran a nearly identical survey the same year. They used teachers instead of parents and included adults. Both studies found the same gender gap, so the boy deficit looks real.
Golubović et al. (2013) warned that parent and teen ratings often clash. Their weak agreement (only 43 %) means Sohil’s parent view is useful, but we still need the youth’s own voice.
Carr et al. (2002) showed that people with ID value life domains more yet feel less satisfied. Sohil’s lower scores for boys fit that long-standing pattern.
Why it matters
If you write plans for Saudi youth with ID, note that boys and families with less education may need extra self-determination teaching. Add goals for choice-making, emotion regulation, and friendship skills. Track both parent and student ratings to catch gaps Spela et al. highlighted.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: The concept of quality of life (QoL) is comprehensive and complex, particularly when considering people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Such individuals often face numerous challenges in their lives, which adversely affect their overall QoL. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this research was to evaluate the QoL that Saudi children and young people with ID experience in terms of interpersonal relationships, self-determination, social inclusion, personal development, and emotional well-being. Additionally, the research considered several factors that could potentially influence these areas, including gender, family income, parents' education, and geographical location. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 142 children and young people with ID representing various regions of Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: The study established that Saudi Arabian children and adolescents with ID have, in general, a moderate QoL, with difficulties in social integration and emotional well-being. Self-determination and interpersonal relationships were found to be influenced by demographic characteristics, including the parents' educational background and gender, with girls exhibiting a higher level of self-determination. IMPLICATIONS: The results of this study have important implications for stakeholders, such as policymakers and parents, particularly regarding the areas where the QoL of individuals with ID may be enhanced. Furthermore, the results draw attention to the need for targeted interventions for boys, who were shown to have lower QoL.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2025 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2025.105165