How Did the COVID-19 Restrictions Change the Digital Contact of People With Intellectual Disabilities? A Longitudinal Multi-Method Study in Sheltered Home Care Facilities.

The care records could not distinguish whether digital contact was between the client and a relative, the client and staff, or between staff members. The two datasets covered different populations: care records included severe and profound disabilities, while family surveys were limited to relatives of people with mild or moderate disabilities. Family survey respondents may have had higher socioeconomic status and better access to technology, potentially presenting an optimistic view of digital contact. The study did not account for digital literacy or specific barriers to technology access, which likely influenced the results.

The authors declared no competing interests. The study was approved by the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam ethical review board and preregistered on OSF.

Do not assume that the 40% increase in digital contact found in care records reflects a real-world boost in social interaction for clients. This rise may stem from increased staff documentation or internal communication, as family surveys reported no change in the frequency of contact they experienced with their relatives.