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Measuring the actual levels and patterns of physical activity/inactivity of adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- FINLAYSON Janet, TURNER Angela, GRANAT Malcolm H.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 24(6), November 2011, pp.508-517.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Adults with intellectual disabilities experience higher rates of morbidity and mortality associated with low levels of activity compared to the general population. Previous research on physical activity levels in this group suggests as few as 5% could be meeting the target levels of exercise deemed necessary for a healthy lifestyle. The aim of this pilot study was to objectively measure the levels and patterns of activity of adults with intellectual disabilities, to inform the design of studies aimed at increasing activity and health in this population. Interviews were conducted with 62 community-based adults from Glasgow with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities (mean age 37 years, 56.5% female). Participants were interviewed at the start and at the end of a 7-day period of physical activity/inactivity measurement using an activity monitor. Forty-one (66%) participants wore the activity monitor for at least 5 days. Of these, only 11 (27%) achieved the recommended 10 000 steps per day, and only six (15%) were achieving the recommended 30 minutes of moderate/vigorous activity at least 5 days per week. The data confirm the belief that adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities have low levels of physical activity.
The "forensicisation" of challenging behaviour: the perils of people with learning disabilities and severe challenging behaviours being viewed as "forensic" patients
- Authors:
- DOUDS Fergus, BANTWAL Ashwin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Learning Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 2(3), 2011, pp.110-113.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Since the closure of long stay learning disability hospitals in 2005, focus in Scotland has shifted on to developing robust community services to cater for the healthcare needs of people with learning disabilities. A small number of individuals with learning disabilities and associated severe challenging behaviours do inappropriately get referred and sometimes admitted to forensic learning disability services. This study investigated this area of clinical practice in the context of referrals to the high secure forensic setting of The State Hospital, Carstairs, Scotland. Five referrals made to the State Hospital's forensic learning disability service between 2005 and 2010 were reviewed. Findings revealed that the identified determinants leading to the making of these referrals were classifiable into psychiatric, environmental and staffing themes. In conclusion, there is a requirement for a specialist in-patient service to meet the needs of this complex group of patients, which demonstrates ‘gaps’ within current services.
An anxious time? Exploring the nature of worries experienced by young people with a mild to moderate intellectual disability as they make the transition to adulthood
- Authors:
- FORTE Marisa, JAHODA Andrew, DAGNAN Dave
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 50(4), November 2011, pp.398-411.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Transition to adulthood can be particularly challenging time for young people with mild intellectual disabilities (IDs) because they are often more socially marginalised, remain more dependent upon their family, and have fewer options for future careers than their typically developing peers. The aim of this study was to examine the content and salience of worries experienced by young people with mild ID during their transition to adulthood. The participants were 26 young people with mild ID and 26 typically developing young people all recruited from a Further Education college in the West of Scotland. The participants underwent a semi-structured interview about their worries and completed self-report assessments concerning anxiety and self-efficacy. The findings showed that that the ID group's most salient worries were largely different from their non-disabled peers at this stage of transition. The ID group worried about: being bullied; losing someone they are dependent upon; failing in life; and making and keeping friends. The non-disabled group worried about: getting a job; not having enough surplus money; failing; and having to make decisions about their future choices. Not only was there a difference in the nature of worries expressed, but the intellectually disabled group also reported ruminating significantly more about their worries and being more distressed by them.
Prevalence and associations of anxiety disorders in adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- REID K. A., SMILEY E., COOPER S.-A.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 55(2), February 2011, pp.172-181.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Estimates of the prevalence of anxiety disorders in adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs) vary widely; general anxiety disorder ranging from less than 2% to 17.4% compared to 4.4% in the general public. Little is known about associated factors in this population. Information was collected regarding 1023 adults with IDs who participated in a large-scale, population-based study in Scotland. All had a comprehensive physical and mental health assessment. The point prevalence of anxiety disorders according to different diagnostic criteria was determined, as were independently associated factors. At the time of the assessment 3.8%, of the cohort had an anxiety disorder. Generalised anxiety disorder was the most common (1.7%), then agoraphobia (0.7%). Results are reported for eight types of anxiety disorder. Factors independently associated with having an anxiety disorder were not having any daytime employment, and having a recent history of life events. Having previously been a long-term hospital resident was independently associated with not having an anxiety disorder. The authors conclude that anxiety disorders are in fact common in the ID population. They suggest that it might be sensible for carers to be vigilant and to consider proactively providing additional support at times of significant life events.
Looking for love
- Author:
- ETHERINGTON Keith
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, April 2011, pp.22-24.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
The setting up and funding of the Dates-n-mates, a dating and friendship agency run by and for people with a learning disability is described. It operates as a project of C-Change for Inclusion, a Glasgow based supported living organisation and charity that provides creative person-centred services for people with learning disabilities and mental health issues.
Inclusion and healthcare choices: the experiences of adults with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- FERGUSON Morag, JARRETT Dominic, TERRAS Melody
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39(1), March 2011, pp.73-83.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Those with learning disabilities have fewer decision-making opportunities than the general population. This study investigated the decision-making experiences of two groups of individuals with a learning disability. Group 1 included irregular attenders who had opted out of healthcare appointments for avoidable reasons, and group 2 included regular attenders who had attended all appointments or not attended for unavoidable reasons. Interviews were carried out with 4 people with learning disabilities and/or their 13 primary carers. In addition to these interviews, physiotherapy staff participated in a focus group. Those with learning disabilities described experiences of and opportunities for making everyday decisions but mostly identified others as being responsible for making their health care choices. Overall, the paper concluded that a greater understanding of the health care expectations and experiences of individuals with learning disabilities, and those that support them, is required to enable people with learning disabilities as participants in their own health care decision-making processes.
What does vulnerability mean?
- Author:
- PARLEY Fiona F.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39(4), December 2011, pp.266-276.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The protection of vulnerable adults has, over the last decade, received increasing attention. This paper investigated the views of 20 Scottish care staff relating to vulnerability and abuse of adults with learning disability. Using semi-structured interview informants perspectives were explored. Whilst the precise definition of vulnerability was hard to determine, the results revealed that most informants felt that people with learning disabilities were all vulnerable and that this definition gave staff the authority to take protective measures to ensure their safety. This desire to introduce protective measures however may result in people with learning disabilities being denied the right to self-determination, thereby limiting their enjoyment of some life experiences and lessening the excitement of life that others take for granted. The article concludes that a more consistent definition of vulnerability, across policy and practice would be beneficial.
A home of my own: report from visits to people with learning disabilities who are living in care homes which are registered with the Care Commission as having more than 20 places: June to September 2010
- Author:
- MENTAL WELFARE COMMISSION FOR SCOTLAND
- Publisher:
- Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 29p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
One of the ways in which the Mental Welfare Commission monitors individual care and treatment is through visit programmes in a range of settings throughout Scotland. These visits take place at home, in hospital or in any other setting where care and treatment is being delivered. This report presents findings from a programme of national themed visits to people with learning disabilities living in the larger residential care homes registered with the Care Commission as having more than 20 places. The visits are designed to assess and compare care and treatment for particular groups of people across Scotland. This report provides an overview of findings from a series of visits in Scotland between June and September 2010. Positive outcomes from the visits showed that people had pleasant homely bedrooms where they could spend time with their personal belongings, music, and TV and had some choice in the décor or furnishings. There was good access to primary health care services and Community Learning Disability Teams in nearly all units. However, communal units were less homely.
Referral patterns for offenders with intellectual disability: a 20-year study
- Authors:
- LINDSAY William, HAUT Fabian, STEPTOW Lesley
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology (The), 22(4), August 2011, pp.513-517.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Following deinstitutionalisation, research has demonstrated that people with intellectual disability living in the community have had increased involvement with the criminal justice system. This study reports a 20-year review of the referral patterns of offenders with intellectual disability referred to a community forensic intellectual disability service. The participants consisted of 309 consecutive referrals from 1987-2008 to a community service for offenders with intellectual disability in Scotland. Three categories of referral were included: from the court, criminal justice, or probation service; from the community team, including community nurses and social workers; or from another source, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. The findings show significant increases across time periods in referrals from criminal justice services and significant decreases from community services. These results suggest changes in society whereby the courts are becoming more comfortable with defendants with intellectual disability and services more willing to involve the police when there are incidents of offending behaviour.
Access to healthcare services by people with intellectual disabilities: a rural-urban comparison
- Authors:
- NICHOLSON Laura, COOPER Sally-Ann
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 15(2), June 2011, pp.115-130.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Considering that access to healthcare services is difficult both for adults with intellectual disabilities and for people living in rural areas, it is likely that adults with intellectual disabilities in rural areas may be at an extra disadvantage. This study examined data from 39 rural and 633 urban participants from Scotland. Data on demographics, healthcare, and access to services were collected from face-to-face interviews and primary care notes. Analysis revealed that the rural sample to have significantly more contact with primary and secondary health care. However, contact with allied healthcare professionals was not significantly different, except that people in the rural sample were significantly more likely to have had recent contact with a dentist and an optician. The authors concluded that adults with intellectual disabilities in rural areas were not disadvantaged when compared to urban service users.