Social support as a mediator of stress and life satisfaction for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction

This study examined factors that predict stress level and life satisfaction among adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities during the COVID‐19 pandemic and the role of social support.

Method

From a larger study about the experiences during the pandemic of 2028 individuals with and without disabilities, 181 adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (or proxy) responded.

Results

Most respondents with intellectual or developmental disabilities (92.8%) reported negative impacts from the pandemic, with 55.2% of the 96 employed pre‐pandemic reporting impacted employment, including job loss. The negative impact of the pandemic was a significant predictor of stress level; social support was related to reduced stress. Stress level and the negative impact of the pandemic were inversely related to life satisfaction; social support was positively related to life satisfaction. Social support partially mediated the association between stress level and life satisfaction.

Discussion

Comprehensive services and social support systems are needed to combat the impact of the pandemic.