Family Quality of Life in Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review of Studies

Abstract

Family quality of life (FQoL) for families with members who have intellectual disability (ID) has recently captured the interest of researchers and demonstrated potentials for evaluation and intervention. This paper intends to revise empirical studies that analyze FQoL in families with members having ID. From a total of 32 studies, 15 used the FQOLS-2006, 11 the Beach Center FQOL Survey and 6 other methods to evaluate FQoL. The multi-dimensional nature of FQoL is emphasized, as well as some individual and family variables that appear to influence it. Future studies should be supported by a more robust theoretical base and more diverse methodologies, and should aim to search for FQoL specificities for the various family members, throughout the family’s life cycle.