Life outcomes and satisfaction ratings of multihandicapped adults

Ten and 20 year longitudinal data were collected on 180 multihandicapped adults. Subjects completed a 50-item questionnaire which was divided into five sections: (a) living circumstances, (b) physical status, (c) social situation, (d) education, and (e) vocational training and employment. Respondents provided both outcome data and their satisfaction with those outcomes. The results indicated that most lived at home, were financially dependent and were not married. However, they reported that they were satisfied with these life outcomes and that they were very satisfied with their social activities. Few significant differences separated the age groups, suggesting that societal and legal changes over the last 20 years have had a limited impact. The variable most strongly related to life outcome and satisfaction with life outcome was functional status. In addition, perceived (self-reported) functional skills were highly correlated with more objective clinical ratings of functional status.