Changes in life experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities in the COVID-19 pandemics in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on adults with intellectual disabilities who are dependent on community services. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities from their perspective during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, where most community-based services were suspended. METHODS: We conducted in-depth interviews with 15 adults with intellectual disabilities who lost access to services during COVID-19 pandemic. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Five overarching themes emerged: changes in (a) daily life, (b) health behaviors, (c) family relationships, (d) social relationships, and (e) social participation. Most participants experienced the loss of daily routines and healthy behaviors, family conflicts, and social isolation, but they also developed new ways of adapting and finding a new normal. CONCLUSIONS: The findings offer valuable evidence of ways to develop and stabilize community-based services during a pandemic, with insights into the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities.

A qualitative study on parents' concerns about adult children with intellectual disabilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to understand parents' concerns about their adult child with intellectual disabilities due to the restriction of community-based services amid the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted face-to-face or by telephone with 19 parents of adult children with intellectual disabilities who had to stop using community-based services. RESULTS: Participants worried that their adult child was not aware of the seriousness of COVID-19, was more susceptible to the COVID-19 virus, could not recognize self-infection and could have fatal consequences of getting infected with COVID-19. They expected challenges in their adult child's life (losing a daily routine, being isolated, regression in skills, becoming bored, lacking physical activities and increased behavioural challenges) but also experienced adjustments and hopes. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated parents' worry about their adult child becoming infected with COVID-19, highlighting the urgent need for community-based services to address psychosocial challenges during the pandemic.