Identifying Chronic Stressors in Residential Care for People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Concept Mapping Study
Mensen met een verstandelijke beperking zijn kwetsbaar voor stress, wat kan bijdragen aan gezondheids- en gedragsproblemen. In residentiële zorg kunnen stressoren voorkomen die samenhangen met de manier waarop de zorg en ondersteuning zijn georganiseerd. In dit onderzoek zijn chronische stressoren in residentiële zorg in kaart gebracht vanuit het perspectief van medewerkers, familieleden en ervaringsdeskundigen. Dit leidde tot acht clusters die verschillende aspecten van de zorgomgeving beschrijven. Een aantal van deze stressoren komt vaak voor en heeft een grote impact, waardoor ze kunnen worden gezien als mogelijke chronische stressoren. In Disabilities MDPI verscheen in mei 2026 een tweede artikel over dit onderzoek.
Abstract
Stress is increasingly recognised as a key factor underlying health and behavioural problems in people with intellectual disabilities. However, little is known about chronic stressors embedded in residential care environments. This study aimed to identify chronic stressors in residential care for people with intellectual disabilities from the perspective of stakeholders. A group concept mapping design was used, combining qualitative data generation with quantitative clustering analyses. Direct support workers, family members, and experts by experience generated statements describing situations perceived as stressful in residential care settings. After data cleaning, 125 unique statements were retained. Participants subsequently clustered and rated these statements on frequency, impact, and controllability. Thirty-eight statements were identified as daily stressors with high frequency and impact. Ward’s hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the statements into eight clusters representing broader conditions within residential care environments. Several clusters contained multiple high-frequency, high-impact stressors and were therefore interpreted as potential chronic stressors. These clusters reflected structural characteristics of residential care, including dependence on support staff, limited autonomy, and shared living environments. Identifying chronic stressors provides a framework for studying chronic stress in people with intellectual disabilities and may inform organisational and environmental interventions aimed at reducing exposure to such stressors.
Auteurs: Matthijs Heijstek, Vanessa Olivier-Pijpers, Eline Roelofsen, Lex Wijnroks en Marian Jongmans
Jaar: 2026