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Exploring the concept of alexithymia in the lives of people with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- MELLOR Karen, DAGNAN Dave
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 9(3), September 2005, pp.229-239.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Alexithymia is a construct that has attracted considerable research for people without learning disabilities. People with alexithymia have difficulties recognizing and describing emotions and have an externally oriented cognitive style. Alexithymia has been closely associated with a variety of mental health and somatic problems. However, the construct of alexithymia has not been considered in respect to people with learning disabilities. This article identifies parallels between the concept of alexithymia and the emotion recognition difficulties and external cognitive styles that have been identified in people with learning disabilities. The article further identifies that many developmental factors considered important in the aetiology of alexithymia are significantly present in the lives of people with learning disabilities and that the association between alexithymia and mental health identified in other populations may also be important for people with learning disabilities. We conclude that there is a strong argument that alexithymia should be a focus of further research for people with learning disabilities.
The association between employment and the health of people with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review
- Authors:
- ROBERTSON Janet, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 32(6), 2019, pp.1335-1348.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: There is strong evidence indicating that paid employment is generally good for the physical and mental health of the general population. This systematic review considers the association between employment and the health of people with intellectual disabilities. Methods: Studies published from 1990 to 2018 were identified via electronic literature databases, email requests and cross‐citations. Identified studies were reviewed narratively. Results: Twelve studies were identified. Studies were generally consistent in reporting an association between being in paid employment and better physical or mental health status. Conclusions: This review supports the view that the well‐established association between employment and better health is similar for adults with and without intellectual disabilities. However, evidence establishing causality is lacking and further research to determine specific health benefits attributable to employment for people with intellectual disabilities and the causal pathways that operate is required. (Publisher abstract)
Predictors of challenging behaviour in adults with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- KORITSAS Stella, IACONO Teresa
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 9(6), 2015, pp.312-326.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to determine the extent to which mental health, physical health, communication, learned function of the behaviour(s), severity of disability, living arrangement, age, and gender, alone or in combination, predicted challenging behaviours in adults with intellectual disability. Design/methodology/approach: In total, 74 adults with intellectual disability and their paid carers were recruited into the study from adult disability services in Victoria, Australia. Paid carers provided information about participants with intellectual disability on a range of measures targeting each variable of interest. Findings: Based on principle components analyses of three challenging behaviour measures, two topographies of challenging behaviour emerged: contact and non-contact behaviours. Multiple regression analysis revealed that contact behaviours were predicted by anxiety scores and severity of disability. In addition to severity of disability and anxiety scores, non-contact behaviours were also predicted by sensory scores. Practical implications: The results of the current study indicate that contact and non-contact behaviours were determined by multiple factors. Clinicians and others who work with people who display challenging behaviour may, therefore, find it helpful to utilise the biopsychosocial model in their formulations of possible reasons that motivate a person to engage in challenging behaviour. Originality/value: These results contribute to the evidence base available to clinicians and researchers to guide future assessment for challenging behaviour. Expansion of functional assessment methods to explore factors not traditionally included, such as mental health and severity of intellectual disability, as causes of challenging behaviour, may prove helpful. (Publisher abstract)
People with a learning disability 'Venture Out'
- Author:
- TUNALEY Victoria
- Journal article citation:
- Llais, 90, Winter 2008, pp.12-14.
- Publisher:
- Learning Disability Wales
Reports on Venture Out Cardiff, which aims to increase the physical activity of people with learning disabilities to a level that physical activity to a level that could make a positive contribution to their physical and mental health. The project is funded by the Big Lottery.
Impact of infection outbreak on people with intellectual disabilities: a scoping review
- Authors:
- EMBREGTS Petri J.C.M., NIJS Sara, VAN OORSOUW Wietske
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, early cite 2 April 2021,
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Background: One would assume that infection outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic have a deleterious effect upon the physical, mental, and/or social functioning of people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Methods: A systematic search of four databases produced 18 articles. General information pertaining to the topics under consideration, information related to infectious diseases and ID were extracted. Results: All but one of the studies investigated the impact of infection outbreaks on the physical functioning of people with ID. Although in some instances certain studies briefly reflected on the impact of infection outbreaks on mental or social functioning, there was no empirical data available. Conclusions: There is scarce scientific knowledge on the impact of infection outbreaks on the mental and social functioning of people with ID. This underscores the exigency for further psychosocial research to both explore the impact of infection outbreaks and develop strategies to deal with them in the future. (Edited publisher abstract)
Staff characteristics working conditions and outcomes amongst staff in service for people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- HATTON Chris, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 12(4), 1999, pp.340-347.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Presents the results of a survey of 512 staff working in UK services for people with intellectual disabilities. Descriptive findings regarding staff characteristics, working conditions and a range of staff outcomes are reported. Regarding staff outcomes, almost one-third of staff reported high levels of distress indicative of mental health problems, a proportion similar to that found in previous UK research but higher proportion than NHS staff, employed adults or adults generally. The implications for services of the findings are briefly discussed.
Physical and psychological health of family carers co-residing with an adult relative with an intellectual disability
- Authors:
- GREY Jillian M., TOTSIKA Vasiliki, HASTINGS Richard P.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31(Supplement S2), 2018, pp.191-202.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Providing long-term care to an adult relative with intellectual disability can impact negatively on caregivers’ health and well-being. Methods: Data were collected via online and postal questionnaires on 110 family carers’ physical and psychological health, family stress and perceived positive gains from caring. Psychological adaptation and carers’ satisfaction with available support were also examined. Results: Study participants reported more health problems than general populations. Higher support needs of care recipients were associated with increased family stress. Carers being female were associated with lower family stress. Older age and better socio-economic position were associated with better psychological outcomes. Other associations were consistent with psychological adaption and perceived helpfulness of support buffering negative outcomes and facilitating positive gains from caring. Conclusions: Family carers of adults with intellectual disability appear to experience poorer health outcome than population norms. Adaption to the caregiving role may buffer negative outcomes. Further large scale, population-based, longitudinal research is needed. (Publisher abstract)
Impact of mid-life symptoms of alcoholism on the health and wellbeing of aging parents of adults with disabilities
- Authors:
- GHOSHA Subharati, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 59(1), 2016, pp.56-72.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The study examined the effect of adult children’s disability on parents’ physical health in later life and the extent to which parents’ symptoms of alcoholism in mid-life moderates the link between children’s disability and later life parental health. Analyses are based on data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. The analytic sample included parents of children with developmental disabilities (n = 145) or mental health problems (n = 200) and 2,432 parents of unaffected children. The results showed that the negative health consequences in later life of having a child with a developmental disability were greater for those who showed more symptoms of alcoholism in mid-life. However, symptoms of alcoholism in mid-life did not significantly moderate the impact of an adult child’s mental health problems on parents’ later life physical health. The findings suggest a potential area where gerontological social workers could intervene, given the negative impact of symptoms of alcoholism on the health of ageing parents of children with a disability who may be significantly more susceptible to the negative health impacts of alcohol compared to their younger counterparts. (Edited publisher abstract)
Healthy ageing - adults with intellectual disabilities: biobehavioural issues
- Authors:
- THORPE L., DAVIDSON P., JANICKI M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 14(3), 2001, pp.218-228.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This report has been prepared by the Ageing Special Interest Research Group of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities (IASSID) in collaboration with the Department of Mental of Health and Substance Dependence and the Programme on Ageing and Health, World Health Organisation (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland.
Ageing matters: pathways for older people with a learning disability: unit three; maintaining good health
- Authors:
- HARRIS John, et al
- Publisher:
- British Institute of Learning Disabilities
- Publication year:
- 1997
- Pagination:
- 40p.
- Place of publication:
- Kidderminster
Unit three in a series of training materials for staff working with older people with learning difficulties. This unit looks at: health and illness; mental health and people with learning difficulties; working with the primary healthcare team; and support for people with physical and mental health problems. Concludes with a summary of points for practice.