Leisure activities, friendships, and quality of life of persons with intellectual disability: foster homes vs community residential settings.

Living in the community does not, in itself, guarantee social integration and inclusion for persons with intellectual disability. Friendships and leisure participation can indicate the beginning of such a process and their impact on quality of life. The present study investigated the quality of life, friendships and leisure activities of persons with intellectual disability who live in community settings or in foster families. Three hypotheses were examined: 1. Persons with intellectual disability who live in foster families have more friends than do those who live in community residential settings. 2. Persons with intellectual disability who live in community residential settings participate in more leisure activities than those who live in foster families. 3. The more friendships and leisure activities in which one is involved, the higher the quality of one's life. The sample consisted of 85 adults with intellectual disability, ranging in age from 18 to 55 years. Forty-five live in community residential settings and 40 live in foster families in Israel. Five questionnaires were used: 1) a demographic questionnaire; 2) Quality of Life Questionnaire, 1990); 3) the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale; 4) Social Relationships List; and 5) Leisure Activities List. The main findings show no significant differences between the two groups in the number of friendships or feelings of loneliness. Foster residents were more involved and more independent in their leisure activities than were those who live in community residences. An association between friendships, leisure activities and quality of life was partly confirmed. The need for intervention programs and leisure education programs is discussed.