Clothing Needs for Teenagers with Mental Handicap in Hong Kong

Abstract

Teenagers with mental handicap have great difficulties in the areas of dress appearance and purchasing appropriate well-fitting garments due to their unusual body configurations, overweight and/or numerous congenital defects. The purpose of this research was to investigate the anthropometric measurements, as well as psychological and physiological needs of teenagers with mental handicap in Hong Kong so as to identify their major concerns and needs on the clothes they wear. Results indicated that the anthropometric measurements of the mentally handicapped teenagers as well as their behavioural development differed markedly from that of the ordinary teenagers. They have generally larger waist girth, thigh girth and back width, but shortened arm length, leg length and trunk circumference. As revealing their daily activities, though they are overweight, they are very active in social activities and like to have interaction with people. This group of teenagers has strong clothing needs such as easy wearing and allowing big movement, whilst fabrics have to be easily cleaned with good sweat absorbency. And most importantly, an appropriate sizing system has to be developed in order to enhance their personal appearance and self-image.