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The role of the environmental factors on the development of adaptive skills in intellectual disabilities subjects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 October 2011

Goffredo Scuccimarra ,
Roberto Velotti ,
Flaviano Canfora ,
Agata Facciuto  and
Simona Mellucci
Goffredo Scuccimarra*
Affiliation:
Istituto “Antoniano”, Centro Studi Ricerca e Formazione di Rilevante Interesse Regionale, Ercolano (Napoli)
Roberto Velotti
Affiliation:
Istituto “Antoniano”, Centro Studi Ricerca e Formazione di Rilevante Interesse Regionale, Ercolano (Napoli)
Flaviano Canfora
Affiliation:
Istituto “Antoniano”, Centro Studi Ricerca e Formazione di Rilevante Interesse Regionale, Ercolano (Napoli)
Agata Facciuto
Affiliation:
Istituto “Antoniano”, Centro Studi Ricerca e Formazione di Rilevante Interesse Regionale, Ercolano (Napoli)
Simona Mellucci
Affiliation:
Istituto “Antoniano”, Centro Studi Ricerca e Formazione di Rilevante Interesse Regionale, Ercolano (Napoli)
*
Address for correspondence: Dr. G. Scuccimarra, Direttore Sanitario Istituto “Antoniano”, Via Madonnelle 15, Ercolano (NA). Fax: +39-081-7753054 E-mail: goffredo.scuccimarra@unina2.it
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Summary

Aims — The aims of the study was to evaluate if environmental factors can influence the effectiveness of therapeutic intervention of subjects with intellectual disabilities. Methods — 46 adolescents and adults with mental retardation, in semi-residential rehabilitative treatment, have been assessed over a 2-years period. The evolution of adaptive functioning over time has been assessed through the AAMD-ABS. The development of the adaptive skills at follow-up has been correlated with socio-economic and cultural factors. Results — Linear regression showed that age of both parents, mother's health status, lack of one parent, SES, and housing conditions, represent significant covariates to predicting evolution of the adaptive functioning; these factors independently influence effectiveness of the therapy from the kind of treatment. Conclusion — The results demonstrate that effectiveness of the therapy can be conditioned from ability to fulfil the needs of the families, through social and supporting programs.

Declaration of Interest: none.

Keywords

mental retardationadaptive functioningenvironmental factorstherapeutic intervention
Type
Original Papers
Information
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences , Volume 14 , Issue 2 , June 2005 , pp. 108 - 115
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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References

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