Latvian Parents of Adult Children with Intellectual Disability Discuss Quality of Life

<title>Abstract</title> <p>Introduction: Being the parent of a child with intellectual disability impacts the parents’ and family’s quality of life across. Some studies highlight the lived experience of social isolation, and the impact that receiving funded supports for their child may have an impact on the parents’ quality of life. The provision of funded services and supports vary across the countries and context can be very different. This study explores this issue by providing the first ever insight of Latvian parents of adult children with intellectual disability reflections on quality of life. Methods A generic qualitative design was used for this study. Data were collected via eight individual interviews using a semi-structured interview schedule, and all data were analysed thematically. Findings: Two broad themes were generated: 1) A comprehensive and negative impact, and 2) services are essential for both the children and the parents. These two themes illustrate how in the absence of targeted and timely funded care and support, being the parent of a child with moderate to profound intellectual disability has a life-long and pervasive negative impact on parental quality of life. Conclusion Latvian parents have often been the sole provider of care and support for their children with intellectual disability, and this affects their quality of life. Occupational therapists, as one part of a wider range of services and supports to people with intellectual disability, will offer greater benefits to parents as their role expands in the years ahead.</p>