Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Possibility and risk in encounter between people with and without intellectual disability
- Authors:
- WIESEL Ilan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 46(1), 2021, pp.35-44.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Background: Unpredictability, the risk of harm and possibility of rewards, are integral elements of encounter. Risk literature offers insight on the complex ways in which risk perceptions and attunements shape behaviours and interactions in encounter between people with and without intellectual disability. Method: The paper draws on risk literature, encounter literature, and examples from the authors’ previously published studies on encounter and work integrated social enterprises. Results: Encounters between people with and without intellectual disability are shaped by perceptions of possible rewards and harms skills and experience in attunement to risk signals; disposition towards, and strategies of, risk aversion, management or enablement and environmental attributes of encounter settings. Conclusions: There is a need to shift community and disability services’ understanding of risk in encounter, by developing a positive appreciation of encounter risk, and development of risk enablement strategies that are learned through experiential practice. (Edited publisher abstract)
“Where’s the human dignity in that?”: LGBTQIA + people with intellectual disability exploring sexual lives and respectful relationships
- Authors:
- MARKS Genee, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 32(3), 2020, pp.354-376.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
For people with disabilities, sexuality remains a contested and restricted space. This research investigated how the Sexual Lives & Respectful Relationships (SL&RR) program might be adapted for people with intellectual disabilities who identify as LGBTQIA+. The program included co-developed materials and specifically curated narratives. It was received positively. The facilitators identifying as members of the LGBTQIA+ community was also reported as positive. While an inclusive program might be ideal, participants expressed the view that community attitudes (including those of other people with intellectual disability) might not yet be conducive to integrated human relationships programs. (Publisher abstract)
Beyond friendship: the nature and meaning of close personal relationships as perceived by people with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- LAFFERTY Attracta, McCONKEY Roy, TAGGART Laurence
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 28(8), 2013, pp.1074-1088.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study uses a combination of dyadic and one-to-one interviews with eight couples with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland to gain a better understanding of the meaning and value these relationships bring to their lives. Data collection and analysis was informed and guided by the core principles of grounded theory. Five significant types of benefits were identified from having close personal relationships, namely: comradeship, a sense of contentment, availability of mutual support, coping with the ups and downs of relationships, and a continuing commitment. Service providers could do more to facilitate the formation of close meaningful relationships, and strategies for doing this need to be identified and evaluated. (Edited publisher abstract)
Reassurance seeking and depression in adults with mild intellectual disability
- Authors:
- HARTLEY S. L., LICKEL A. Hayes, MACLEAN W. E.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 52(11), November 2008, pp.917-929.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Adults with intellectual disability (ID) experience a high prevalence of depression. Yet, little research has investigated interpersonal processes related to depression in this population. This study examined the relation between excessive reassurance seeking, negative and rejecting social interactions and depression in adults with mild ID. Eighty-seven adults with mild ID and staff in the US completed the Glasgow Depression Scale for people with a Learning Disorder and the Reassurance-Seeking Scale. In addition, adults with mild ID reported on their experience of negative social interactions, and staff rated their relative preference to interact with the adult with mild ID. A meditational model of the indirect effect of excessive reassurance seeking on depressive symptoms via negative and rejecting social interactions was tested. Excessive reassurance seeking was positively related to depressive symptoms. Negative and rejecting interactions partially mediated the relation between excessive reassurance seeking and depressive symptoms. Findings identify an important interpersonal process in depression. Efforts to educate staff and adults with mild ID about excessive reassurance seeking and ways to alter it may be useful in treating depression.
Working for change
- Author:
- BURGER Helen
- Journal article citation:
- Viewpoint, 2008, pp.24-25.
- Publisher:
- Mencap/Gateway
Briefly reports on research being carried out by Change, an equal rights organisation led by people with and without a disability, into the issues surrounding sex and relationships for young people with a learning disability.
Love and loving relationships in people with learning disabilities: a scientific approach
- Authors:
- MORENTIN Raquel, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 13(2), August 2008, pp.33-41.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The study reported here was based on research with 376 people with learning disabilities in Spain, and aimed to analyse their appraisal of love, loving relationships and related issues (satisfaction, role of the family and self-determination). A Likert-type measure was developed, and the outcomes indicate that the measures have satisfactory psychometric characteristics. It is also evident that the theoretical model of love for people without disabilities can be applied to individuals with disabilities, and includes three key factors: commitment, stability and idealisation; passion and physiological arousal; and intimacy and romanticism. It also indicates that the perceptions of love in people with learning disabilities are relatively idealised and influenced by context, and interference from family and self-determination are key issues.
Social goals and conflict strategies of individuals with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities who present problems of aggression
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 52(5), May 2008, pp.393-403.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
A few recent studies have adopted a social cognitive perspective to explore how individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs), who present problems of aggression, view their social world. The focus has mainly been on participants' perceptions of others' behaviour within conflict situations. The present exploratory study aims to compliment existing research by exploring social cognitive factors that may influence how individuals respond to conflict. Study was carried out with 20 aggressive and 20 non-aggressive men and women who have a mild to moderate ID. The ‘Social Goals and Strategies for Conflict’ (SGASC) assessment was devised to explore whether group or gender differences could be found in participants' expected outcomes of aggressive strategies, their expected outcomes of submissive strategies and their emotional reaction to these outcomes. Participants' social goals within hypothetical situations of conflict were also explored. It was found that aggressive and non-aggressive participants have different social goals. There were no significant differences for expected outcomes of aggression or submissiveness. Nevertheless, a number of trends suggest that more aggressive participants expect negative outcomes for submissiveness compared with their non-aggressive peers. While the findings of this study are tentative, investigating the social outcomes that are valued by individuals with ID who present problems of aggression appears to be a promising area for further research, with possible implications for clinical assessment and treatment.
Quality of life and relationships in sex offenders with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- STEPTOE Lesley, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 31(1), March 2006, pp.13-19.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Hayes (1991) and Day (1994) have developed hypotheses about the importance of social and developmental variables in the aetiology of sexual offences in offenders with intellectual disability. The present study is the first of its kind to investigate the perceived quality of life and relationships of sex offenders in comparison to an appropriate control group. A group of 28 sex offenders with intellectual disability (ID) were compared with 28 members of a control group of individuals with ID. All participants completed the Significant Others Scale (SOS) which assesses self-perceptions of potential and ideal support from significant others in the individual's life, and the Life Experience Checklist (LEC) which assesses experiences and opportunities across 5 living domains: home, leisure, freedom, relationships and opportunities. There were no differences between the groups on age and IQ. On the SOS there were no differences between the groups on the number of times each significant other was reported. Actual and ideal levels of support from both mother and father were lower for sex offenders than the control group. On the LEC, sex offenders reported lower scores on the relationships and leisure sections. Poorer relationships and little indication of any wish to change that state of affairs suggests lower levels of integration and identification with society for sex offenders compared with the control group.
Relationship disruption in adults with cognitive disabilities
- Authors:
- RUNNION Vicki M., WOLFER Terry A.
- Journal article citation:
- Families in Society, 85(2), April 2004, pp.205-213.
- Publisher:
- The Alliance for Children and Families
Adults with cognitive disabilities residing in group homes face special challenges in establishing and maintaining friendships, and in coping when they are disrupted - for example, when a housemate moves to a different level of care, or a staff member quits or is dismissed. On the basis of a small scale qualitative study, this article raises concerns about the frequency of such disruptions - their psychological and social effects in the lives of people with limited cognitive abilities and limited social support. It also highlights a number of difficulties for participants in telling their stories of loss and suggests steps that agencies, social workers and family members can take to support significant relationships for people with cognitive disabilities, even when disruptions are unavoidable.
Not such an ordinary life: a comparison of employment, marital status and housing profiles of adults with and without intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- McMAHON Martin, BOWRING Darren Lee, HATTON Chris
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 24(4), 2019, pp.213-221.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Having paid work, relationships and a choice of where to live are common policy priorities for adults with intellectual disabilities. The purpose of this paper is to compare outcomes with respect to these three priorities between adults with intellectual disability and the general population in Jersey. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from 217 adults with intellectual disability known to services, and 2,350 adults without intellectual disability using a stratified random sample. Data on employment, marital status and accommodation profiles were compared. Findings: In sum, 87 per cent of adults with intellectual disability were currently single vs 16 per cent of adults without intellectual disability; 23 per cent of working-age adults with intellectual disability were in paid employment vs 92 per cent of working-age adults without intellectual disability; and 57 per cent of adults with intellectual disability lived-in sheltered housing vs 2 per cent of adults without intellectual disability. Social implications: Very few adults with intellectual disability are in paid employment or intimate relationships, and the majority live in sheltered, supported housing, with very few owning their own home. There is a significant disconnect between policy and reality. Considerable work is required to make an ordinary life the reality for adults with intellectual disability. Originality/value: This study adds to the body of evidence that suggests people with intellectual disabilities are less likely to experience an ordinary life. Furthermore, it illustrates that despite Jersey being an affluent society, the same difficulties and barriers exist there for persons with an intellectual disability as in other jurisdictions. (Publisher abstract)