Changes in life experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities in the COVID-19 pandemics in South Korea.
Min Ah Kim, Jaehee Yi, Jimin Sung and 3 others
PMID 34074618WHAT IT FOUND
Adults with intellectual disabilities described losing their daily structure when community centers closed, leading to irregular sleep, poor eating, and isolation.
They struggled to connect with friends remotely but found comfort in new solitary hobbies like feeding stray cats or learning piano.
Key findings
01Participants reported significant disruptions to daily routines, including irregular sleep patterns and increased screen time, due to the closure of welfare centers.
02Social isolation was a major theme, with participants unable to maintain friendships due to lack of confidence, technology barriers, or fear of disturbing others.
03Some participants developed alternative solitary activities, such as feeding stray cats, practicing computer skills, or listening to music, to cope with boredom.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample included only adults with mild to severe intellectual disabilities who could communicate verbally; those with profound disabilities or limited communication were not represented. Most participants lived with family, so the findings may not apply to those living independently or in group homes. The study took place during the first wave of the pandemic in South Korea, so the experiences may differ in later phases or in other countries. Data relies solely on self-report, which was not cross-checked with caregiver or objective measures.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The research did not receive specific funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the participants' descriptions of distress or routine loss as evidence of a clinical diagnosis or as a universal outcome. These are subjective reports from a small, specific group in South Korea during the first pandemic wave, and they do not prove that all adults with intellectual disabilities experience these changes to this degree.