Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Importance of locus of control in offenders with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- RAYMOND Matthew, HAYES Susan
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 5(4), 2014, pp.189-198.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Locus of control (LOC) is the manner in which one attributes their ability to make change in life. This could be through others, fate or chance (externalised), or through oneself (internalised). An internalised LOC results in greater self-belief in the ability to change one's behaviour. Non-disabled offenders with an internalised LOC are more likely to benefit from treatment through therapy and in turn have reduced rates of re-offending. The relationship between LOC and response to treatment is only understood in a limited way for offenders with intellectual disability (ID) who participate in treatment programmes. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach: To better understand LOC for offenders with ID, this paper investigates its role in community-based therapy outcomes along with its use as a common pre-/post-measure of treatment success in mainstream offender populations. Drawing upon these findings information more specific to people with ID will be discussed. Findings: This paper will then explore the importance of LOC in treating offenders with ID through a review of the current published literature, which generally indicates offenders with ID demonstrate a tendency towards an external LOC in comparison with non-disabled or non-offender groups. Originality/value: Given the negative implications for treatment that external LOC may play, several significant therapeutic strategies that can contribute to development of internalised LOC are discussed, in addition to a consideration of other possible variables separate from ID that may play a role in both developing or perpetuating an external LOC. (Publisher abstract)
Secure inpatient services: a needs assessment
- Authors:
- HALL Ian, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 5(1), 2014, pp.38-53.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to complete a thorough needs assessment that would enable the development of a robust pathway of care for adults with a learning disability requiring secure care, and to assist commissioners to make informed planning decisions. Design/methodology/approach: The paper identified people with a learning disability originating from London who were in secure care, and collected data about them. The paper used reference groups to inform the analysis. Findings: The paper identified 249 people in secure services and was able to include 136 patients in the analysis. In all, 64 were in NHS provision and 72 in independent sector provision; 109 (80.1 per cent) were male and 27 (19.9 per cent) female; on average, patients were cared for 61.5 miles away from their homes; NHS patients were far closer to home; 69.1 per cent had a mild learning disability; 82.3 per cent had a history of violence; approximately one in six patients could not progress due to a lack of an appropriate ward, facility, resource and/or intervention. Practical implications: Secure care for this population is a major public health issue. Many are placed a long way from home. Local services should be developed, and there should be sufficiently robust “step down” places for patients to be discharged to. Originality/value: Systematic identification of the needs of a marginalised group to enable better more appropriate care pathways to be developed in the future. (Publisher abstract)
Predictive validity of the START with intellectually disabled offenders
- Authors:
- INETT Andy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Forensic Practice, 16(1), 2014, pp.78-88.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This paper evaluates the predictive validity of the Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START), in a sample of male offenders with intellectual disability (ID) in a low-secure hospital (n=28). Design/methodology/approach: A prospective analysis was conducted, with START scores as the predictor variables, and the number of recorded aversive incidents as the outcome measure. Findings: Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that total START risk scores had a significant high predictive accuracy for incidents of physical aggression to others and property damage/theft, over a 30-day period, reducing to medium predictive validity over a 90-day period. Medium predictive validity was also identified for incidents of verbal aggression, suicide, self-harm, and stalking and intimidation. START strength scores were also predictive of overt aggression, possible reasons for this are explored. Research limitations/implications: The small sample size limits the generalisability of the findings, and further research is required. Practical implications: The paper offers preliminary support for the use of the START with ID offenders in low-secure settings. Given the lack of validation of any previous dynamic risk assessment tools, multi-disciplinary teams in such settings now have the option to use a tool which has potentially good validity with an ID population. (Edited publisher abstract)
Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) - its relevance to forensic adolescent services
- Author:
- GRALTON Ernest
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 5(3), 2014, pp.124-137.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: There needs to be an increased recognition of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in services that deal with young people with disruptive and offending behaviour, not just those services that deal with adolescents with a recognised intellectual disability. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach: This is a general review of the current available evidence on FASD and how it is likely to predispose affected young people to have contact with secure mental health services and the criminal justice system. Findings: FASD is likely to have become a more common cause of intellectual disability and behavioural disturbance but the history of significant alcohol exposure in utero if often missed. There is evidence that the hyperactivity is less responsive to psychotropic medication and may represent a different condition to conventional ADHD. However the majority of those affected are in the low normal IQ range. Research limitations/implications: There is so far very limited research in what is likely to be a relatively common disorder with significant costs to criminal justice, mental healthcare and social services. Epidemiological information from the UK is lacking and urgently needed. Practical implications: Professionals who work with mentally disordered young people need to be more aware of FASD and its potential contribution to the problems and disabilities in their population. Social implications: Social workers, foster carers and adoptive parents need to be more aware of FASD and how it can contribute to the breakdown of social care. Originality/value: There is currently no other review of FASD and the implications for criminal justice, secure mental health and social care for young people. (Edited publisher abstract)
A programme for alcohol related violence with offenders with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- LINDSAY William R., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 5(2), 2014, pp.107-119.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Although studies suggest alcohol abuse is not the major problem among offenders and others with intellectual disabilities (ID), it is still a significant problem. There are also suggestions that alcohol may have a more serious effect on those with ID. The purpose of this paper is to describe a treatment for alcohol-related difficulties designed for people with ID. Design/methodology/approach: A programme for alcohol-related problems is described and four case studies are presented to illustrate the sessions and review the way in which people with ID have responded to the methods. The cases have a mixture of alcohol-related problems including anger, anxiety, social withdrawal and depression. The alcohol programme is coordinated with a range of person centred interventions for specific difficulties. Findings: All cases responded to the programme positively. Two cases showed reductions in anger, two reported reductions in anxiety and one reported reductions in depression. All cases increased their alcohol knowledge considerably. Research limitations/implications: The programme seems promising in its approach to alcohol-related difficulties. It is noted that alcohol education alone is likely to improve participants’ wellbeing in the absence of coordinated intervention for other relevant personal difficulties. A controlled treatment trial for effectiveness is clearly required. Originality/value: The paper describes a programme for alcohol-related problems and may be the first such programme that has contained pilot evaluation. (Publisher abstract)
Keys to diversion: best practice for offenders with multiple needs
- Author:
- DURCAN Graham
- Publisher:
- Centre for Mental Health
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 28
- Place of publication:
- London
Liaison and diversion services aim to identify and support people with mental health problems, learning difficulties and other vulnerable people in police stations and courts. This report identifies the key elements of successful liaison and diversion services in six services based in Lewisham, Manchester, Portsmouth and in Plymouth, Bodmin and Truro. The findings are based on visits to sites, interviews with staff, service users, and partners. It finds that the most successful teams offer support for a wide range of a person’s needs, they build packages of support from a range of local agencies, and they stay in touch with people after they have been referred to other services. The report then makes recommendations for NHS commissioners and liaison and diversion services. (Edited publisher abstract)
Anna's story of life in prison
- Authors:
- BOODLE Anna, ELLEM Kathy, CHENOWETH Lesley
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 42(2), 2014, pp.117-124.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
People with an intellectual disability in prison can be at increased risk of victimisation, segregation and isolation (Mullen ). Prison systems usually have very few resources to cater to this group's particular needs, and many people may re-enter the community with little or no rehabilitation, poor social connections, poor mental health and little chance in finding employment and living a crime-free life (Baldry et al. ). Gathering the lived expertise of ex-prisoners with an intellectual disability can help others to better understand these experiences. This article is about Anna Boodle's story of imprisonment in Queensland, Australia. Anna participated in a larger PhD study on the life stories of ex-prisoners with an intellectual disability. It is apparent from her story, and the other stories in the study, that there is a need for more humane responses to people with an intellectual disability who offend. Anna's story is a tale of hope to others that a good life is possible after imprisonment. (Publisher abstract)
Life Skills Group: increasing foundation knowledge and motivation in offenders with a learning disability
- Authors:
- PATTERSON Christy, THOMAS Cathy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 5(1), 2014, pp.4-13.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Offenders with a learning disability present with greater clinical need than those without a learning disability. However, for this client group, access to and engagement with psychological and criminogenic interventions are often limited. The purpose of this paper is to discuss a potentially useful approach to this issue. Design/methodology/approach: A single case study design was used to evaluate an introductory group programme, delivered over 12 weekly sessions, in a forensic learning disability service. Semi-structured interviews were used alongside psychometric measures, which were completed prior to, and following completion of, the group, in order to assess the individual's experience of the group, their emotional understanding and difficulties, and readiness to change. Findings: Readiness to change and emotional understanding improved following completion of the programme. Self-reported emotional difficulties showed improvement, although not all staff reports corroborated this. Notably, the service user reported a positive experience, with increased confidence and motivation to attend further groups. Research limitations/implications: Generalisation from the results of single case studies is limited. Although results suggest that motivation to engage further has increased, more research is required to assess whether this impacts on actual ability to engage. Practical implications: Offering an introductory programme prior to further, more criminogenically focused intervention may be more effective than offering these interventions as the first stage of treatment. Originality/value: An introductory group programme may be potentially helpful in providing the foundation knowledge, confidence and motivation necessary to attend further intervention focusing on criminogenic need for offenders with a learning disability. (Publisher abstract)
The development and preliminary evaluation of a thinking skills programme for adults with learning disabilities at risk of offending
- Author:
- KELLY Julia
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Forensic Practice, 16(1), 2014, pp.32-45.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Outlines and evaluates the development of a thinking skills programme for adults with learning disabilities at risk of offending. The programme was evaluated over three years using self-report clinical measures related to treatment targets and feedback from participants. Results showed a statistically significant improvement in general empathy and perspective taking. Improvement in impulsivity and locus of control was not significant. Feedback from service users was positive. The findings suggest that thinking skills programmes can be of benefit to adults with learning disabilities at risk of offending. There is a need to provide opportunities for adults with learning disabilities to address generic deficits and factors supporting offending behaviour and to increase readiness for offence-specific treatment. (Edited publisher abstract)
Does substance use predict contact with the criminal justice system for people with intellectual disabilities?
- Authors:
- CHAPLIN Eddie, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 5(3), 2014, pp.147-153.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine how substances misuse impacts on exposure to the criminal justice system for people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Design/methodology/approach: An electronic case-register of mental health patients was used to examine the clinical records of 411 patients with ID. χ2 analysis was performed to test the association between variables and logistic regression to generate estimates for statistically significant association variables. Findings: Of 411 cases, 98 (23 per cent) of patient had a history of substance use, with affective disorders strongly associated with alcohol misuse χ2=4.135, df=1 (p<0.042), similarly statistically significant predictor for alcohol misuse OR: 1.7, 95 per cent CI (1.02-2.72) (p<0.043). Patients with a history of offending behaviour had three-folds higher risk to misuse drugs compared to those without a forensic conviction OR: 3.17, 95 per cent CI (1.35-7.44) (p<0.008). Those with a history of offending were more likely to have had a history of substance use. Originality/value: Substance use and its impact on offending by people with ID is still poorly understood. This paper adds new information to this under researched area. (Publisher abstract)