Development of personal and social autonomy in teenagers and young adults with Down Syndrome: an empirical study on self-representations in family relationships

This study aimed to investigate self-representations within the family and their effects on the development of adaptive skills in terms of personal and social autonomy. The target was a group of teenagers and young adults with Down Syndrome (DS), compared with a group of non-disabled individuals. The purposes of this study were: 1) to show a relationship between the development of autonomy during adolescence and the perceptions of feelings and attitudes experienced within the family; 2) to identify a link between a) family relationships which are more oriented towards recognizing the maturation processes with the goal of the autonomy of adolescents with DS, and b) the building of adequate self-representations with positive effects on personal and social adaptation. The study sample was composed of 170 adolescents and young adults, 85 of whom have DS. The instruments employed were the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale - Survey Form (VABS), which measures the level of Adaptive Behavior by three domains (Communication, Daily Living and Socialization), and the Family Relations Test: Children’s Version (FRTC), which assesses the feelings that the subject expresses and receives within the family. The data analysis showed that while all family members influence the level of autonomy in typically developing persons, individuals with DS are significantly influenced by their mothers. The results are discussed taking into account other relevant research, and the possible implications for implementing prevention programs, as well as parenting and development support strategies