(PS11-D87) Exploration of Impact COVID-19 Had on Quality of Life (including Health Behaviors, Inclusion, and Distress) of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities: Technology to the Rescue?

Advent of COVID-19 highlighted need for unprecedented emergency readiness. Establishment of virtual lifestyles due to COVID-19 restrictions adversely affected individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including decreased in-person interactions with family (Lai et al., 2021), supports coordinators (Patel et al., 2021), and health care providers (Lunsky et al., 2021) as well as reduced community engagement (Theis et al., 2021). COVID-19, however, also necessitated increased utilization of technology services; these services can be advantageous for maintaining connections with family members and health care providers (Jeste et al., 2020) and enable quick access to supports during emergency situations. The purpose of this study was to examine impact of COVID-19 on quality of life on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

We conducted virtual interviews of participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities who receive services in the state of Pennsylvania chosen via random selection. This study included 3624 participants (2098 males, 1487 females, five other, 34 unidentified) ranging in age from 18 to 95 (mean = 41.5, SD = 16.4), surveyed between November 2020 and September 2021.  

Results indicated 94.1% of participants have heard of COVID-19, with 96.1% of total respondents reporting daily-life alterations. Negative impacts of in-person daily life included: stopped or decreased family/friends’ visitation (55.9%), discontinued day programs/community activities (39.1%), and decreased community inclusion (82.4%). Also, 33.8% reported increased distress. Participants reported needing assistance with health-promoting behaviors, such as: washing hands, wearing masks, and maintaining social distance (39.8%, 36.1%, 38.0%, respectively). Positive activities of COVID-19 identified by respondents included: increased social interaction (22.2%), staying at home (34.8%), and increased technology use (30.3%). Telehealth results indicated 50.4% utilization, with 87.7% either liking (65.7%) or feeling indifferent (22.0%) to telehealth. Surprisingly, over 80% of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities felt like they did have help when they needed it. 

Regardless of challenges and negative impacts of COVID-19 on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, consistent access to technological resources, such as stable internet and video conferencing, may have positively impacted participants’ lives despite individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities historically not having access to technology (Goreczny, 2014). Implications of these results reveal how critical it is for future programs to address access to technology to ensure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have adequate services in emergency situations.  Future research may want to address whether technology would influence emergency preparedness. Identification of what evidence-based practices psychologists might utilize to alleviate emotional distress brought on by COVID-19 may also be beneficial for future research. The poster will address implications for psychological practice.