Enhancing Social Skills for Independent Living among People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Qualitative Perspective

Abstract

Social skills play a vital role in enabling people with intellectual disabilities (PWID) to live independently and participate meaningfully in their communities. Despite growing awareness of independent living among PWID, the development of social skills as a pathway to empowerment remains underexplored.Therefore, this qualitative study aims to examine the types of social skills required by PWID to achieve independent living and enhance their quality of life. A total of 30 informants consisting of PWID, their mothers and teachers were involved in this study. The findings revealed four social skills necessary for independent living: communication skills, emotional expression, interpersonal relationship skills, and community engagement skills. These skills were found to be instrumental in fostering independence, self-confidence, and social inclusion among PWID. This research provides valuable insights for educators, families, and policymakers in designing targeted interventions and support systems to empower PWID through social skill enhancement.