Kjersti Wessel Jevne has been affiliated with PhD programme Child and Youth Competence Development.
Her research has focused on a topic that is important to many families in this country.
"The main purpose of the thesis has been to convey how young adults with Down syndrome and their parents experience the opportunities for these young individuals to act in the transition to adulthood," writes Jevne til inn.no.
Data was collected via a survey of 25 parents, and qualitative interviews were conducted with eight young adults and 25 parents.
The thesis deals with the young people's schooling, transition from school to working life, considerations about quality of life and experiences related to moving away from home.
Wessel Jevne found that those she has researched report significant challenges.
"Despite everyday structures that emphasize inclusion, normalization, and participation, the study reveals limitations within these structures that hinder full participation and utilization of the potential of young adults with Down syndrome," says Kjersti.
The thesis contributes to the visibility of the potential young adults with Down syndrome have to be actors in their own everyday lives, and what influences this based on the ideology of normalisation, inclusion and participation.
"The ideologies anchored in our policies and societal structures largely emphasize help and support for individuals with developmental disabilities. The young adults in this study describe that this can be restrictive, and they would prefer to have more to say in defining their needs for help and support in the transition to adulthood," says Wessel Jevne.
Kjersti's thesis is titled "Young adults with Down Syndrome transitioning to adulthood."
The main findings of the PhD:
- Political guidelines and the ideology of normalization, inclusion, and participation may appear limiting and, to a too small extent, take into consideration the subjective experiences of young adults with Down syndrome regarding what it takes to be actors in their own lives.
- Assistance and support are necessary for living a good adult life with a high quality of life. Young adults must define for themselves what constitutes good assistance and support, and accordingly, both employees within societal structures and, to some extent, parents must change their perspectives on these young individuals as being vulnerable and having significant caregiving needs.
- The welfare state provides some room for action but, to some extent, a limited one for young adults with Down syndrome. It's about limitations in recognizing alternative possibilities for participation, coping, and inclusion for a group of young adults with developmental disabilities who are particularly vulnerable to exclusion.
Here you'll find more information about Kjersti Wessel Jevne's public defence on 30 November 2023.
Contact information:
- kjersti.jevne@inn.no
- Phone
- +47 61 28 85 26