The influence of meaningful activities in the quality of life and functional autonomy of adults with intellectual disability: A prospective study during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Background The COVID‐19 pandemic might negatively impact the quality of life and functional autonomy of Spanish adults with intellectual disability, and meaningful activities could prevent this negative progression. Methods This is a prospective cohort study in Spanish adults with intellectual disability during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Quality of life, functional autonomy and functional independence were measured. The meaningful activities studied were structured‐leisure, community self‐management, and occupational and physical activities. Results Seventy‐three participants were included in the study. Quality of life and functional autonomy significantly deteriorated during the COVID‐19 pandemic (all p > .001). Greater participation in community self‐management activities before COVID‐19 was associated with less detriment to quality of life (ß = −.312; p = .008), while greater participation in occupational and physical activities was associated with less detriment to the performance of instrumental activities (ß = −.317; p = .016; and ß = −.285; p = .030, respectively). Conclusion People with intellectual disability living in residential homes experienced a decrease in their quality of life and functional autonomy during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Their involvement in community self‐management activities and physical and occupational activities before the pandemic had preventive effects on the detriment to the quality of life and functional autonomy.