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Needs of direct support professionals to support people with intellectual disabilities in leading a healthy lifestyle
- Authors:
- OVERWIJK Annelies, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 18(4), 2021, pp.263-272.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: For a healthy lifestyle, people with moderate, severe, and profound intellectual disabilities living in residential facilities and/or participating in day activity centers are dependent on their direct support professionals. However, it is unclear what knowledge and skills these direct support professionals require to support these individuals in living a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the needs of direct support professionals for supporting these people with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Method: Direct support professionals (n = 28) were interviewed with the use of a semi-structured protocol based on the theoretical domains framework. The interviews were analyzed with a theory-driven content analysis. Results: The most frequently mentioned needs referred to the following domains of the theoretical domains framework: environmental context and resources (n = 27), social/professional role and identity (n = 25), social influence (n = 25), skills (n = 24), and knowledge (n = 23). Conclusion: To support people with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities in leading a healthy lifestyle, direct support professionals (DSPs) primarily needed support related to the domain environmental context and resources. Within this domain available time, dealing with different seasons, and a healthy lifestyle policy in the organization need attention. Development of interventions targeting these DSPs needs is required. (Edited publisher abstract)
Victims with mild intellectual disabilities in the criminal justice system
- Authors:
- SPAAN Nienke A., KAAL Hendrien L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work, 19(1), 2019, pp.60-82.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Summary: People with mild intellectual disabilities are more vulnerable to become victims of crime. Victims with intellectual disabilities can face attitudinal, procedural and practical barriers within the justice system. This exploratory study looked at obstacles encountered by victims of crime with mild intellectual disabilities in effectuating their rights, their vulnerability to secondary victimization and ways to support them. In 2014, 35 respondents from across the Dutch justice system and 10 respondents with mild intellectual disabilities-expertise were interviewed. Inductive and deductive content analysis was carried out. Resonance of findings was checked in an expert meeting. Findings: Three major problems were identified: (1) victims’ incomprehension about the process and the proceedings; (2) victims’ difficulty meeting system requirements and expectations; and (3) impact of prejudices concerning mild intellectual disabilities. A system adequately set up to deal with victims with mild intellectual disabilities could ease these difficulties. However, additional problems were identified, namely: (1) limited recognition of mild intellectual disabilities; (2) insufficient knowledge and understanding of consequences of mild intellectual disabilities; (3) issues related to accessing and accepting support; (4) communication unsuited for victims’ reading and comprehension-level. These problems influence the ability of victims with mild intellectual disabilities to effectuate their rights and increases risk of secondary victimization. Applications: Besides the importance of these findings for policymakers, results are of importance for all those working with victims or with people with mild intellectual disabilities. Individually tailored forms of support are required to overcome the identified problems. Awareness of the barriers that victims with mild intellectual disabilities may encounter will aid providing adequate support for victims with mild intellectual disabilities to exercise their rights and protect against secondary victimization. (Publisher abstract)
A comparison of support for two groups of young adults with mild intellectual disability
- Authors:
- SOENEN Sarah, BERCKELAER-ONNES Ina van, SCHOLTE Evert
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 44(2), 2016, pp.146-158.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Young adults with mild to borderline intellectual disability (MBID) have varying profiles of cognitive, adaptive and behavioural functioning. There is also variability in their educational and therapeutic needs. This study compares recommended and actual provision of support for two groups of young adults with MBID and looks at young adults’ satisfaction with their support. Participants’ clinical files were analysed and a satisfaction interview was administered. Descriptive statistics were used to characterise the groups, and t-tests or chi-square tests were used to explore similarities and differences between the groups. A combined, supported independent living setting, a structuring and regulating support style and psychotherapy were recommended for the young adults in group 1 (MBID with externalising behavioural problems), whilst independent living with access to community support services and a meeting house, and skills training was recommended for group 2 (MBID with internalising behavioural problems). Both groups were considered capable of standard employment with support from a job coach. The authors found mismatches between recommended and actual provision of support. The findings suggest that service providers do not focus enough on the educational support needs, but therapeutic needs are generally more often met. (Edited publisher abstract)
An exploratory study of the support needs in 24/7 online support for people with mild intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- ZAAGSMA Miriam, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 16(1), 2019, pp.78-87.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Service organizations for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) increasingly look for technological applications to improve their services. DigiContact is an online support service developed by Philadelphia Care Foundation in the Netherlands which enables independently living people with ID to contact specially trained support workers 24/7. The purpose of this study was to explore the support needs for which people with ID use online support. We first conducted interviews with 21 individuals with ID who use the online support service. Transcriptions of the interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Second, online support workers registered items regarding the support needs when in contact with support users. These data were analyzed to assess which and how often the support needs were present. Online support is used for a broad variety of issues. Four themes emerged during analysis of the interviews: mental health, social contacts (conflicts with others as well as lack of contacts), practical issues, and physical health. Analysis of the support workers' data showed that making a connection with someone and talking about worries and stress are the two most frequent support needs. Most support needs did not differ across the time of day or across the week. The results suggest that 24/7 online support is a useful way of providing services to independently living people with ID. Unlimited access to support has multiple advantages. It appears to have a signaling and a preventive function with regard to emotional and behavioral problems. (Edited publisher abstract)