Person-Directed Staffing and Quality of Life: Links Between Staff Choice, Perceived Staff Stability and Community Participation for Individuals With IDD in the United States

James Houseworth; Renáta Tichá; Roger J Stancliffe; Sandra L Pettingell; Yi-Chen Wu

doi:10.1111/jar.70265

Person-Directed Staffing and Quality of Life: Links Between Staff Choice, Perceived Staff Stability and Community Participation for Individuals With IDD in the United States

Institute on Community Integration

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Direct support professionals (DSPs) are essential to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), yet staff turnover remains a significant concern. This study examined whether individuals with IDD in the United States are involved in choosing their staff, how they perceive staff turnover and whether perceived staff stability is associated with quality of life.

METHODS: Data from the 2022-2023 National Core Indicators-In Person Survey were analysed to assess relationships between staff choice, perceived staff stability and outcomes related to everyday choice, support-related choice and alignment of community activities with personal preferences.

RESULTS: Individuals involved in choosing their staff were more likely to report greater staff stability. Perceived staff stability was associated with better alignment between community participation and personal preferences but was not significantly associated with choice-making outcomes.

CONCLUSION: Findings support person-directed service models and highlight the value of involving individuals with IDD in staffing decisions to promote staff stability and person-centred community participation.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	e70265
Pages (from-to)	e70265
Journal	Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
Volume	39
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.70265 https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.70265
State	Published - Jul 2026

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

choice
community inclusion
intellectual disability
National Core Indicators
staff stability

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Houseworth, J., Tichá, R., Stancliffe, R. J., Pettingell, S. L., & Wu, Y.-C. (2026). Person-Directed Staffing and Quality of Life: Links Between Staff Choice, Perceived Staff Stability and Community Participation for Individuals With IDD in the United States. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 39(4), e70265. Article e70265. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.70265, https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.70265

Person-Directed Staffing and Quality of Life: Links Between Staff Choice, Perceived Staff Stability and Community Participation for Individuals With IDD in the United States. / Houseworth, James ; Tichá, Renáta ; Stancliffe, Roger J et al.
In: Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, Vol. 39, No. 4, e70265, 07.2026, p. e70265.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Houseworth, J , Tichá, R , Stancliffe, RJ , Pettingell, SL & Wu, Y-C 2026, 'Person-Directed Staffing and Quality of Life: Links Between Staff Choice, Perceived Staff Stability and Community Participation for Individuals With IDD in the United States', Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, vol. 39, no. 4, e70265, pp. e70265. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.70265, https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.70265

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abstract = "BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Direct support professionals (DSPs) are essential to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), yet staff turnover remains a significant concern. This study examined whether individuals with IDD in the United States are involved in choosing their staff, how they perceive staff turnover and whether perceived staff stability is associated with quality of life.METHODS: Data from the 2022-2023 National Core Indicators-In Person Survey were analysed to assess relationships between staff choice, perceived staff stability and outcomes related to everyday choice, support-related choice and alignment of community activities with personal preferences.RESULTS: Individuals involved in choosing their staff were more likely to report greater staff stability. Perceived staff stability was associated with better alignment between community participation and personal preferences but was not significantly associated with choice-making outcomes.CONCLUSION: Findings support person-directed service models and highlight the value of involving individuals with IDD in staffing decisions to promote staff stability and person-centred community participation.",

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Person-Directed Staffing and Quality of Life: Links Between Staff Choice, Perceived Staff Stability and Community Participation for Individuals With IDD in the United States

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Keywords

PubMed: MeSH publication types

Publisher link

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