Aim: A deeper comprehension of the profiles of Quality of life of the population assisted by services could lead to a better outcome definition for the users. For these reasons, a descriptive study was conducted to describe the Quality of Life (QoL) profile of the Children with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) in Milan, Italy. Methods: 200 children with ID participated to the study. Demographic variables of Age, Sex, Italian Citizenship were considered as grouping variables beside clinical variables: Diagnosis, Level of ID, use of Psychotropic Drugs, Functioning, level of Parental Stress, and Quality of Life. The instruments used were: the Personal Outcome Scale for Children and Adolescent (POS CA); a check list based on ICF; The Parental Stress Index. The Quality of Life scores were correlated with functional and demographic variables to highlight possible correlations between functioning, perceived stress and Quality of Life. Statistical analysis (inter-correlations, t-test, linear regression) were conducted. The different groups were compared to measure differences among the demographic and clinical groups. Results: the POS Global index or subscale indexes correlate with Functioning scores of the person, but not with Parental stress. Grouping variables as Gender or Age had no significant correlations with QoL scores or Parental Stress. Single diagnosis groups have sig. lower scores then other groups. The use of psychotropic drugs was discriminant for sig. lower scores on QoL. Italian citizens’ results have higher QoL profiles than immigrants. Conclusion: The QoL instrument could contribute to a better personal outcomes definition in individual Support Planning.
Intellectual Developmental Disability
Early Intervention
General public, Professionals