Interpersonal Decision Making in Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Abstract Abstract This chapter describes a framework for the study of decision-making skills in social/interpersonal situations for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and its underpinnings in decision-making theories for the general population and findings from research studies directly examining decision-making patterns and difficulties in individuals with IDD. Using the lens of positive psychology and self-determination, the chapter presents a strong rationale for building opportunities and skills for independent decision making among individuals with IDD for improving quality of life experiences in the social interpersonal domain, particularly in reducing maltreatment in this group. The chapter adopts a multifaceted view of interpersonal decision making. Aspects of cognition, motivation, and emotional and situational factors, as well as alternative pathways of decision processing that an individual can draw upon to tailor a decision response to a specific decision task or context are highlighted. An etiological perspective to understanding difficulties in decision making by subgroups provides a supportive structure for building a repertoire of effective decision-making skills based on individual differences. The chapter concludes with summary of progress made in designing and evaluating effective decision-making training approaches for improving the interpersonal decision making of individuals with IDD along with suggestions for future directions in research and practice.