Pathways toward Positive Psychosocial Outcomes and Mental Health for Youth with Disabilities: A Knowledge Synthesis of Developmental Trajectories
Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
17 June 2014
Abstract
Most children with developmental conditions survive to adulthood. To improve adult outcomes there is a need to synthesize our existing knowledge regarding their developmental trajectories. The synthesis in this paper was guided by interactional, life course perspectives and definitions of development and disability. Evidence from 107 published articles, grey literature, and expert opinion demonstrated that there are currently more negative than positive psychosocial and mental health outcomes for youth with disabilities. Evidence is mounting that youth with disabilities experience similar trajectories to their peers without disabilities through positive, developmentally appropriate life experiences and regular opportunities with adequate supports to develop adult social roles.
Résumé
La plupart des enfants atteints de troubles du développement survivront jusqu’à l’âge adulte. Pour améliorer leurs perspectives à l’âge adulte, il est nécessaire de synthétiser nos connaissances actuelles au sujet de leurs trajectoires de développement. Cette synthèse a été guidée par les perspectives interactionnelles et de parcours de vie, ainsi que par les définitions du développement et de l'incapacité. Des constats issus de 107 articles publiés, de la littérature grise et de l'opinion d'experts ont démontré que chez les jeunes ayant une incapacité, il y a actuellement davantage de retombées négatives que positives sur le plan psychosocial et sur le plan de leur santé mentale. Un nombre croissant d’écrits indiquent que les jeunes ayant une incapacité ont des trajectoires similaires à leurs pairs sans incapacité lorsqu'ils ont accès à des opportunités et à des expériences de vie positives adaptées à leur développement avec un soutien adéquat leur permettant de développer des rôles sociaux adultes.
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Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 33 • Number 1 • July 2014
Pages: 45 - 61
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Version of record online: 17 June 2014
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GorterJan Willem, StewartDebra, SmithMarc Woodbury, KingGillian, WrightMarilyn, NguyenTram, FreemanMatt, and SwintonMarilyn. 2014. Pathways toward Positive Psychosocial Outcomes and Mental Health for Youth with Disabilities: A Knowledge Synthesis of Developmental Trajectories. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health.
33(1): 45-61. https://doi.org/10.7870/cjcmh-2014-005
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