ఆక్టా సైకోపాథాలజికా అందరికి ప్రవేశం

నైరూప్య

Loneliness in adults with intellectual disability: Psychological and social perspectives

Hephzibah Wahav

This study aims to examine the phenomenon of loneliness among adults with intellectual disability (ID) using psychological (attachment and intimacy theories) and social theories (selective/adaptation mechanisms) that explain singlehood in the general population. The sample consisted of 56 couples and 40 singles with mild/moderate ID (CA: M = 37.54, SD = 10.90) who responded to a singlehood battery of 10 questionnaires. Contrary to our hypothesis, no differences were found between singles and couples with ID in attachment, intimacy, and socioemotional skills. However, significant differences were found in attachment to a close person and expectations from marriage and partner, indicating that singles hold unrealistic marriage schemata. All participants expressed a desire to have an intimate relationship and to marry. Does society ignore these needs?