Perceptions de peres vivant avec un fils ou une fille adulte ayant une deficience intellectuelle sur la transition de l'apres-parents

With the increase in life expectancy, many people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are living in the family home with their parents. This research focuses on the experience of 17 fathers of adults with ID. These fathers answered a questionnaire including open and closed questions. During the individual interview, fathers described their motivations to cohabit with their son or daughter, cohabitation benefits and constraints, housing options considered and planning for the future. Results indicate that fathers chose this cohabitation. However, they experience anxiety because they do not know who will support the adult with ID when they can no longer do so. Postparental planning considerations include legal concerns and informal discussions with siblings or the extended family. These results describe a complex parental situation in which there is interaction between their emotions, their attachment to the adult with ID and their previous experiences with residential, social or rehabilitation services.