Social support in the formal and informal networks of people with mild intellectual disabilities

This PhD research examined experiences of support in people with mild intellectual disabilities within their formal networks (professionals) and informal networks (family and friends). The study showed that social capital is a useful theoretical framework for understanding supportive resources within families. It is important that researchers and professionals adopt a broad approach in involving a person’s social network in their care. In addition to focusing on the support that a person with a mild intellectual disability can receive, we should also consider what forms of support the person with intellectual disability can offer to the people in their network.