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ERIC Number: EJ1475251
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-May
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-2322
EISSN: EISSN-1468-3148
Available Date: 2025-06-10
Direct Support Professionals' Perspectives on Enabling Meaningful Activities for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, v38 n3 e70078 2025
Background: People with intellectual disabilities in Flanders (Belgium) often rely on their direct support professionals (DSPs) to engage in meaningful activities. While structured approaches exist to guide engagement, limited insight is available into the specific support DSPs need in practice. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews with 13 DSPs. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo 12. Results: Five themes emerged: (1) Basic assumptions regarding meaningful activities, (2) Relationship between people with intellectual disabilities and DSPs as a prerequisite for enabling meaningful activities, (3) Facilitating factors in enabling meaningful activities, (4) Areas of tension in enabling meaningful activities, and (5) Barriers to enabling meaningful activities. Conclusions: DSPs recognise the importance of meaningful activities but face significant challenges in practice. Addressing these challenges requires training and support tailored to their specific needs and the realities of their daily work, ensuring they are better equipped to foster engagement in meaningful activities.
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Belgium
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Faculty of Health and Care, Occupational Therapy Department, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, Ghent, Belgium; 2Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy Research Group, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; 3Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Special Needs Education, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; 4Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department Gerontology, Frailty in Older (FRIA) Research Group and Mental Health and Wellbeing (Ment) Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium