“They must get to know the individual very well”: relationship-building of family and volunteer supporters in supported decision-making schemes

Purpose Supported decision-making (SDM) is an emerging and innovative alternative to substitute decision-making practices. While relationships are pivotal in establishing proper and effective SDM, scant research has examined these relationships in-depth. This study explores how decision-making supporters perceive relationships embedded in SDM for adults with disabilities. Furthermore, it compares the points of view of family and volunteer supporters on these relationships.