‘Moving on’ for adults with a learning disability and their families: a constructivist grounded theory study

Ending familial co-residence, termed ‘moving on’ by participants, is an increasingly relevant life transition for people with a learning disability due to increasing life expectancy and policy developments. Nevertheless, there is an absence of research exploring this transition experience in a United Kingdom (UK) context. This constructivist grounded theory study therefore aimed to explore, conceptualise, and theorise the ‘moving on’ experiences of adults with a learning disability and their families. This article reports the experiences of five adults with a learning disability and nine family members in England, UK. Narrative interviews and creative storybook methods were used to collect data between April 2015 and May 2016. Constant comparative methods, theoretical sampling, and memo writing were used throughout data collection and analysis. Participants with a learning disability presented personal growth and greater life fulfilment over the course of the transition; they flourished. In parallel, family members relinquished their care responsibilities. Importantly, the iterative and reciprocal relationship between flourishing and relinquishing shows that ongoing family member involvement is crucial during and following relocation. Family members identified factors that potentially inhibit relinquishing: pressure to ‘let go’, different perceptions of independence between family members and service providers, inadequate future investment, and rapport with professional carers. These novel insights led to the generation of the first known mid-range theory concerning this transition, entitled ‘Moving on: flourishing and relinquishing’. Findings will guide future research in this field and facilitate the design of appropriate support for people with a learning disability and their families.