How Sociocultural and Socioeconomic Influences Intersect with Self-Esteem for People Diagnosed with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Faculty Mentor
Rebecca Rivera
Major/Area of Research
Social Work
Description
OBJECTIVES: This capstone identifies how sociocultural and socioeconomic influences intersect with selfesteem for people diagnosed with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and the opportunities that communities have to propel positive change.
METHODS: This research study employed a Systematic Review of the literature published in English between the years 2014 – 2025. Numerous databases were utilized to identify peer-reviewed research where the factors that influence self-esteem and self-perception of people diagnosed with I/DD and society’s perception of people who are diagnosed with I/DD were analyzed. Children and adult populations were reviewed which identified avenues that create social justice and positive change when addressing the micro, mezzo, and macro levels in society.
RESULTS: The systematic research of the literature exposes how sociocultural and socioeconomic influences intersect with a person’s self-perception, self-esteem and the perception of others with regards to a person who identifies with the marginalized group I/DD; and the effects this has on systematic inequalities in healthcare, educational systems, and quality of life.
CONCLUSION: Implications of the research identified the opportunities that communities have to mobilize positive change through social justice at the practice, research, and program levels. Educating community members increases cultural humility and increases their capacity for community compassion for all people in society. Organizations and government agencies incorporating person-first language in their policies and programs by promoting inclusive environments and opportunities for autonomy over decision-making creates increased self-esteem and improved self-image for people diagnosed with I/DD; thus, improving healthcare equity, educational experiences, and quality of life outcomes.
Keywords: I/DD, Self-Esteem, Intersectionality, Healthcare, Education, Autonomy over Decision-Making, Inclusive Language
Keywords
I/DD, Self-Esteem, Intersectionality, Healthcare, Education, Autonomy over Decision-Making, Inclusive Language
How Sociocultural and Socioeconomic Influences Intersect with Self-Esteem for People Diagnosed with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
OBJECTIVES: This capstone identifies how sociocultural and socioeconomic influences intersect with selfesteem for people diagnosed with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and the opportunities that communities have to propel positive change.
METHODS: This research study employed a Systematic Review of the literature published in English between the years 2014 – 2025. Numerous databases were utilized to identify peer-reviewed research where the factors that influence self-esteem and self-perception of people diagnosed with I/DD and society’s perception of people who are diagnosed with I/DD were analyzed. Children and adult populations were reviewed which identified avenues that create social justice and positive change when addressing the micro, mezzo, and macro levels in society.
RESULTS: The systematic research of the literature exposes how sociocultural and socioeconomic influences intersect with a person’s self-perception, self-esteem and the perception of others with regards to a person who identifies with the marginalized group I/DD; and the effects this has on systematic inequalities in healthcare, educational systems, and quality of life.
CONCLUSION: Implications of the research identified the opportunities that communities have to mobilize positive change through social justice at the practice, research, and program levels. Educating community members increases cultural humility and increases their capacity for community compassion for all people in society. Organizations and government agencies incorporating person-first language in their policies and programs by promoting inclusive environments and opportunities for autonomy over decision-making creates increased self-esteem and improved self-image for people diagnosed with I/DD; thus, improving healthcare equity, educational experiences, and quality of life outcomes.
Keywords: I/DD, Self-Esteem, Intersectionality, Healthcare, Education, Autonomy over Decision-Making, Inclusive Language