Investigation of social interaction characteristics of adult individuals with intellectual disabilities

In this study, the social interaction characteristics of adult individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) according to their parents' and their own views were examined. The social environment and social preferences of adults with intellectual disabilities, general characteristics related to their social relationships and friendships, conversation characteristics in social relationships, and characteristics related to expressing their emotions were described. In the study, in which phenomenology design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used, 12 adults with mild intellectual disabilities and 24 parents living with their families in Edirne Province participated. Participants were determined by 'criterion sampling method'. Data were collected using the "Family-Child Information Form", "Parent Interview Form" and "Adult Individual with Special Needs Interview Form" developed by the researcher. The information obtained from the participants was evaluated by 'descriptive analysis' and 'content analysis' used in qualitative research methods. As a result of the research, it was found that adults with intellectual disabilities preferred social environments, participated in social environments mostly with family members and were able to express themselves in these environments, had friends, frequently met with relatives, friends and neighbors other than family members, had sincere and long conversations with acquaintances, said when there was something they did not understand during the conversation, experienced feelings of happiness and joy intensely, talked about their feelings to their parents and also took into account the feelings of the other person.