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Mental health problems in young people with intellectual disabilities: the impact on parents
- Authors:
- FAUST Hannah, SCIOR Katrina
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21(5), September 2008, pp.414-424.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Young people with intellectual disabilities seem to be at increased risk of developing mental health problems. The present study set out to examine the impact such difficulties can have on parents. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with 13 parents and one adult sibling of 11 young people with intellectual disabilities and additional mental health problems in an area of East London. Parents described far reaching negative consequences of the young person's mental health problems. In many parents these re-evoked intense past feelings of grief and triggered feelings of helplessness and despair. Parents' experiences appear to be characterized by confusion, loss and hardship. Services do not seem to be attuned to the high level of emotional and practical needs of these parents.
Service provision for young people with intellectual disabilities and additional mental health needs: service-providers’ perspectives
- Authors:
- SCIOR Katrina, GRIERSON Kate
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 17(3), September 2004, pp.173-179.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Very little is known about young people with intellectual disabilities who experience additional mental health problems. The perspective of service providers has been highlighted as one unresearched area. Semi-structured interviews were completed with senior service providers. Aims: (1) to explore experiences of working with young people with intellectual disabilities and additional mental health problems and their families; (2) to examine views on services’ ability to meet the needs of this group. Service providers identified a gulf between current policy and the reality for this group, not least in terms of all agencies working in partnership. All agencies described instances when young people in this group fall through gaps between services. Interviewees identified a range of factors that promote good outcomes. The results suggest that the focus of current policies to promote joint working needs to be broadened beyond health and social services to ensure much improved links with education providers and the voluntary sector if the needs of this group are to be met.
In-patient psychiatric care for individuals with intellectual disabilities: the service users' and carers' perspectives
- Authors:
- LONGO Silvia, SCIOR Katrina
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 13(2), April 2004, pp.211-221.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Little is known about the experiences of individuals with intellectual disabilities and additional mental health problems who are admitted for inpatient psychiatric care. In the UK such care is delivered in both generic psychiatric and specialised treatment settings. The present study explored service users' and carers' views on in-patient psychiatric treatment received across these two settings. Thirty service users and wherever possible their main carers were interviewed about their views on the psychiatric admission, treatment and discharge process. Data was gathered during semi-structured, one-to-one interviews. Both service users and carers identified positive and negative aspects of the psychiatric admission. For service users lack of control and information, support from staff, or conversely its absence emerged as key themes. For carers concerns about service users' vulnerability, negative staff attitudes and opportunities for involvement emerged as key themes. The accounts of both groups regarding generic psychiatric settings were predominantly negative. In contrast, specialized settings were frequently described as providing a pleasant environment, supportive and caring staff, good information sharing and satisfactory discharge arrangements. Important areas for service improvements are highlighted. Implications in particular for generic settings are considered.