Friendship experiences of participants in a university based transition program

This study examined the nature of friendships of 14 students with intellectual and developmental disabilities participating in a university-based transition program in the United States. The transition program is a bridge between high school and adulthood, designed to foster students' self-este...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational journal of whole schooling Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 1 - 15
Main Authors Nasr, Maya, Cranston-Gingras, Ann, Jang, Seung-Eun
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Whole Schooling Consortium 01.07.2015
Subjects
Analysis
College Students
Conflict Resolution
Developmental Disabilities
Disabled students
Educational Benefits
Focus Groups
Friendship
Independent Living
Mental Retardation
Observation
Qualitative Research
Self Esteem
Skill Development
Social aspects
Social Support Groups
Transitional Programs
Universities
United States
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Summary:This study examined the nature of friendships of 14 students with intellectual and developmental disabilities participating in a university-based transition program in the United States. The transition program is a bridge between high school and adulthood, designed to foster students' self-esteem and self-confidence by providing them with training and support and encouraging self-advocacy and independence skills in an age-appropriate integrated environment. Data collection procedures consisted of a focus group session and direct observations of the participants' interactions on the university campus. Results indicate that participants do indeed have friends and are eager to establish and sustain long lasting relationships. Even though participants have developed relationships that are similar in nature to those typically developed among college-age individuals, some reluctance of the participants to venture out independently and initiate connections with non-program students was observed. Further, the constructive role that parents of students in the transition program made in facilitating relationships of friendship was evident.
ISSN:1710-2146
1710-2146