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The Relationship Between Spiritual Life and Quality of Life in People with Intellectual Disability and/or Low-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Abstract

Spirituality seems to represent a relevant domain in the person-centred care planning and outcome assessment for persons with intellectual disability and low-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Despite this, the impact of spirituality on subjective well-being and quality of life (QoL) has been scarcely investigated. The aim of the present study was to map the international scientific literature in order to identify the reasons of such misconsideration and the key points for future research and practice implementation. The relationship between spirituality and QoL depends on a complexity of factors, ranging from QoL theoretical models to services’ organisation. Personal attitude, family members, health and social-care personnel, training, faith and life communities, and even different religions seem to deserve an in-depth analysis.

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Abbreviations

LF:

Low-functioning

SWB:

Spiritual Well-Being

ASD:

Autism spectrum disorder

ID:

Intellectual disability

QoL:

Quality of life

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CREA (Centro Ricerca E Ambulatori), Fondazione San Sebastiano, Via del Sansovino, 176, 50142, Florence, Italy

    Marco O. Bertelli, Chiara Del Furia & Elisa Rondini

  2. Istituto Don Orione, Florence, Italy

    Chiara Del Furia & Elisa Rondini

  3. Associazione Trisomia 21 Onlus, Florence, Italy

    Monica Bonadiman & Stefano Lassi

  4. Dipartimento di Filosofia, Scienze Sociali, Umane e della Formazione, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy

    Elisa Rondini

  5. National Senior Psychiatry Lead, NHS England, Leeds, UK

    Roger Banks

  6. Facoltà Teologica dell’Italia Centrale, Florence, Italy

    Stefano Lassi

Authors
  1. Marco O. Bertelli
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  2. Chiara Del Furia
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  3. Monica Bonadiman
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  4. Elisa Rondini
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  5. Roger Banks
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  6. Stefano Lassi
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Correspondence to Marco O. Bertelli.

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Bertelli, M.O., Del Furia, C., Bonadiman, M. et al. The Relationship Between Spiritual Life and Quality of Life in People with Intellectual Disability and/or Low-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Relig Health 59, 1996–2018 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00891-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00891-x

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