Relationships Between Bioecological Factors and Expectations for Community Living and Participation Outcomes Among Individuals With Intellectual Disability and Families: A Scoping Review.
Family expectations and local supports decide if community-living plans work, not just the plan itself.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team read 200+ papers to map what shapes families' hopes for adult life.
They looked at people with intellectual disability and their families.
They used the bioecological model: tiny daily things, bigger systems, and culture.
What they found
No single number or test result.
Instead, a map of forces that quietly steer dreams.
Family beliefs, friend networks, and even bus routes matter more than IQ scores.
How this fits with other research
Vassos et al. (2016) showed Person-Centred Planning helps, but only a little.
Fradet et al. (2025) explains why: plans fail when they ignore family fears or lack of rides.
Navas et al. (2025) proved moving to the community boosts life quality.
Fradet et al. (2025) adds the missing piece: success hinges on matching the move to family expectations and local supports.
Why it matters
Before you write any transition goal, ask three quick questions.
What does the family believe is possible?
Who are their key helpers?
What buses, jobs, and clubs are actually reachable?
Answer these and your plan will stick.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Although community living and participation (CLP) is associated with increased economic self-sufficiency, rates of happiness, and high quality of life among individuals with intellectual disability (ID), the rates of individuals with ID experiencing CLP outcomes remain below their same-age peers. Although the expectations of individuals with ID and their family members influence CLP outcomes, which bioecological factors have the greatest influence on expectations remains largely unknown, thereby weakening the foundations upon which efforts and policies designed to enhance CLP are developed. The purpose of this scoping review was to map knowledge of relationships between bioecological factors and CLP expectations from the perspectives of individuals with ID and families of individuals with ID. Recommendations for research, policy, and practices are described.
American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilities, 2025 · doi:10.1352/1944-7558-130.2.88