This study aimed to understand the meaning of marriage process and married-life
experiences of women with intellectual disabilities who lived in a community. Using a qualitative
case study method, data was collected and analyzed; participants were selected from the
recommendations of a social worker working at a public agency, and interviewed 4 women
with intellectual disabilities using individual in-depth interviewing methods.
Finally, we could find 74 concepts and 13 categories and 4 major themes. The main themes
were extracted from the married-life experiences of women with intellectual disabilities. Such
themes were “Marriage, an ambiguous start,” “Unfamiliar and clumsy marriage-life,” “Suddenly
gained name, mother,” “Be a real adult through marriage experience.” The participants often
expressed difficulties in child-rearing, financial management, communication with support
group and independent living.
Based on the findings, the researchers proposed implications for policy and practice to
improve the quality of life for women with intellectual disabilities: (1) individuals with disabilities
need to be provided with information and education relevant to marriage, (2) they need to
be given opportunities to join or to be advocated by support group, (3) counselling and training
program for being good parents based on child’s life-course, (4) maximizing their
normalization.