Feldner, Heather AAbuatiq, Reham2025-05-122025-05-122025-05-122025-05-122025Abuatiq_washington_0250E_27814.pdfhttps://hdl.handle.net/1773/52904Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2025This three-article dissertation aimed to explore the experiences of Middle Eastern youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (YIDD) during the healthcare transition (HCT) process. Despite the growing literature in HCT and unmet minority healthcare needs globally, there is limited data about the Middle Eastern YIDD experiences during this critical phase. A mixed methods approach was used to investigate the Middle Eastern YIDD and their caregivers' experiences during HCT in Washington State. The first article "Exploring an Understudied Population: Healthcare Access and Transitions of Middle Eastern Youth with Disabilities in Washington" was a qualitative study design using semi-structured interviews with 12 Middle Eastern YIDD and their caregivers. Inductive thematic analysis using NVivo software was conducted. Four main themes emerged: Utilizing resources and support structure to access care, hurdles to care access, key concerns and priorities in navigating HCT, and key needs during HC. These highlight that despite the availability of supportive local disability resources, there are several challenges during HCT. Emphasizing the need for more culturally- sensitive approaches and comprehensive care while addressing insurance coverage is needed to improve the experiences of this population. The second article titled "Healthcare Transitioning Barriers and Facilitators from the perspectives of Middle Eastern Youth with Disabilities and their families in Washington State" investigated the HCT facilitators and barriers of this same population using photovoice narrative method with 11 participants, as one family dropped off due to availability issues. Interviews were analyzed using NVivo software and inductive thematic analysis followed by member checking. Results showed that the key HCT facilitators were healthcare providers' support; supportive healthcare facilities and clinics; independence and personal growth; and providers' cultural competence. However, health insurance coverage issues; lack of HCT planning, preparation, resources; independence and readiness to lead challenges; and gender-specific preferences were the main barriers to HCT. These highlight the need for implementing HCT best practice and guidelines to improve the HCT experiences for this sample. Further, the photovoice narrative method may be a powerful tool to empower families and communicate their needs. The final article "Health-Related Quality of Life of Middle Eastern Youth with Disabilities during Healthcare Transition in Washington State" aimed to identify and investigate how health-related quality of life (HRQOL) changes over short-term period during HCT process of this population. The current HCT literature has limited evidence about healthcare access and HRQOL of Middle Eastern YIDD during HCT. A short healthcare access survey and the World Health Quality of Life – BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) measure were collected. The WHOQOL-BREF was collected twice, at study enrollment and after photovoice narratives interviews. Descriptive statistics and the Mann Whitney U test were conducted using R software. All participants had access to healthcare services. No statistical significance was detected between the initial and second assessments of the WHQOL-BREF raw scores. This study provided key data about healthcare access and HRQOL during HCT of this population. Future research is needed with a larger sample size to better understand Middle Eastern YIDD HRQOL levels during HCT in the United States.application/pdfen-USnoneHealth Related Quality of LifeHealthcare AccessHealthcare TransitionIntellectual and Developmental DisabilitiesMiddle Eastern YouthParticipatory Action ResearchPhysical therapyPublic healthHealth care managementRehabilitation medicineThesis