Self-determination in Male Children with Intellectual Disabilities: Perceptions of Parents from Saudi Arabia

Background: Self-determination is essential for improving the quality of life of individuals with disabilities. Prior research has indicated that parents’ values and practices are important in supporting the development of self-determination in their children. Aim: The purpose of the study was to examine Saudi Arabian parents' values and perceptions regarding the importance, performance, and provision of self-determination opportunities to their high school male children with and without intellectual disability. Methods: The participants were 133 parents of high school children (76 parents of a child without disabilities and 57 parents of a child with intellectual disabilities, accounting for 57.1% and 42.8%, respectively). Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests were used to understand parents’ perceptions of and behaviors related to self-determination. Results: The results revealed no significant difference in the ratings of the importance of self-determination between the two groups of parents. Parents of children with intellectual disabilities rated their child's self-determination performance lower and provided fewer opportunities to improve their children's self-determination. Conclusion: The results suggested that self-determination skills were valued in Saudi Arabia, highlighting that disability may affect the performance and opportunities to practice self-determination.