Using Autonomous Teams to Improve Quality of Life of People with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

This research study tested an intervention, based on autonomous teams and the service co-creation approach, to improve the social inclusion and self-determination (as indicators of quality of life) of people with intellectual disability. Members of the autonomous teams (professionals, people with intellectual disability, and family members) cooperated to plan and carry out a project. A total of 72 autonomous teams participated (experimental condition). Each team designed its action plan to be implemented during eight weeks. Three measurement times were used: before the intervention (T1), four (T2) and eight (T3) weeks after the starting point. Family members (experimental group, N = 117; control group, N = 187) reported on the social inclusion and self-determination of their relative with intellectual disability. Scores in the control group remained stable over time, whereas scores in the experimental group changed significantly. Social inclusion increased (T2), and later stabilized (T3). By contrast, self-determination increased (T2), but this improvement was subsequently reduced (T3).

A Cross-Level Study of the Consequences of Work Stress in Police Officers: Using Transformational Leadership and Group Member Interactions as an Example

“…This research finding is different from the hypothesis of this study, and from previous theories and research findings that group interaction factors may improve the quality of life of individual employees by reducing stress levels at work. 81 , 82 What is the reason? From the perspective of the characteristics of the police organization, in police groups similar to military organizations, the efficiency in job execution and task completion are the most important aspects of police organizations.…”

The voice of persons with intellectual disability: Why does autonomy support make them feel better?

“…The previous research specifically examined the extent to which channels of participation and dialog between non‐disabled workers and family members are related to self‐determination and autonomy in persons with intellectual disabilities. The emphasis was mainly on generalizing the self‐determination of persons with intellectual disabilities to other contexts (e.g., family context) beyond the organization (Blížkovská et al, 2022; Martínez‐Tur et al, 2015) and achieving a shared vision (regarding the autonomy of persons with intellectual disabilities) between non‐disabled workers and family members (Martínez‐Tur et al, 2018). Overall, the results suggested that dialog and participation of family members in organizational life facilitate the generalization of self‐determination of persons with intellectual disabilities to other contexts, as well as attitudinal convergence between family members and non‐disabled workers toward self‐determination.…”

Inclusión Laboral De Personas Con Síndrome De Down: Experiencias en Un Servicio De Comida Inclusiva en La Región Del Biobío, Chile

“…Sus beneficios primordiales abarcan la mejora del bienestar, el acceso a fuentes de ingresos, el estímulo al desarrollo personal e identitario y la creación de relaciones interpersonales (Friedman, 2017;Nogueira, 2022;Santuzzi & Waltz, 2016;Saunders & Nedelec, 2014). Por tanto, no disponer de un trabajo implica que las personas con discapacidad (en adelante, PcD) además de no tener una fuente de ingresos, ven afectada su participación en la sociedad, su autonomía, autodeterminación y, en consecuencia, su calidad de vida (Beart et al, 2005;Blížkovská et al, 2022;Scott & Havercamp, 2014). En consiguiente, las dificultades que experimentan las PcD y, específicamente las personas con SD, para incluirse en entornos laborales, se convierte en un desafío social que no puede ser ignorado.…”