Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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‘I don’t know what a proper woman means’: what women with intellectual disabilities think about sex, sexuality and themselves
- Authors:
- FITZGERALD Christina, WITHERS Paul
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 41(1), 2013, pp.5-12.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Semi-structured interview schedules were used to guide interviews with 10 women with intellectual disabilities to find out what they thought about their sexuality and sexual identity. All were identified as White British with ages ranging from 19 to 64 years. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview transcripts. Many of the women could not conceptualise themselves as sexual beings, and they tended to regard sex as a dirty and inappropriate activity for them. They generally believed that other people prohibited them from engaging in sexual activity. The women often considered themselves to be of little value, and the majority had no clear sense of identity. It is incumbent upon services to find the means to empower women with intellectual disabilities to acknowledge, welcome and take control of their own sexuality. (Edited publisher abstract)
Out of the shadows: women with learning disabilities in contact with or on the edges of the criminal justice system
- Authors:
- HAMMOND Tracy, et al
- Publisher:
- Prison Reform Trust
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 48
- Place of publication:
- London
This report, collaboration between the Prison Reform Trust and KeyRing Living Support Networks, finds that women with learning disabilities are at risk of becoming drawn into the criminal justice system due to failures to recognise their disability and a lack of appropriate support. It draws on the experiences of 24 women with learning disabilities in contact with, or on the edges of, the criminal justice system; and practitioners working within criminal justice, social care, and women’s services. It also considers the legislative and policy frameworks that exist to help ensure women with learning disabilities get the support they need and which can help them avoid content with criminal justice services. In the research the women talked about their difficulties in accessing support when they needed it most, not understanding the implications of their behaviour and failure to comply with imposed sanctions; their histories as victims of violent and abusive behaviour; and enforced separation from their children. Other areas discussed included histories of drugs and addiction, access to housing The report makes ten recommendations to ensure that the needs of women with learning disabilities are recognised and met. (Edited publisher abstract)
Experiences of women with learning disabilities undergoing dialectical behaviour therapy in a secure service
- Authors:
- THOMSON Michaela, JOHNSON Paula
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 45(2), 2017, pp.106-113.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: This research aimed to capture the experiences of women with learning disabilities living in secure services who undertook dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT); they were the first people to do this in the trust. It is hoped their experiences may guide and inform other services undertaking the same process. Materials and Methods: Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to provide a flexible framework to make sense of the way the women interpreted their experiences. Results and Discussion: The analysis identified three main themes: How you do DBT, What we think about DBT, Using DBT. The qualitative approach adds a valuable contribution to the wider literature, highlighting the importance of capturing the women's voices. Conclusion: As most published literature regarding the effectiveness of DBT is not written from first hand service user experiences, it is hoped this research offers a unique insight into these women's experience. (Publisher abstract)
Dialectical behaviour therapy in an inpatient unit for women with a learning disability: service users’ perspectives
- Authors:
- ROSCOE Paula, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 20(3), 2016, pp.263-280.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
There is a general lack of self-report data from service users with an intellectual disability (ID) about their views of psychological interventions. This research explored the views and experiences of female inpatients, with a diagnosis of a personality disorder and an ID, about dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Semi-structured interviews were used with 10 women, recruited from two independent mental health hospitals. The interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Participants showed varying levels of understanding of DBT. Findings highlight the need for a standardized approach with a suitably adapted structure and curriculum to meet the needs of inpatients with an ID. Factors such as the therapeutic relationship were identified as playing a role in participants’ motivation, engagement and participation in DBT. (Publisher abstract)
Journeys into dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT): capturing the staff and service-user experience
- Authors:
- JOHNSON Paula, THOMSON Michaela
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 7(2), 2016, pp.84-93.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the lived experiences of staff and service-users regarding the introduction of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) into an NHS forensic learning disability (LD) service. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on data from two recent qualitative research studies, the research team used a case-oriented approach to see beyond original findings to capture the shared experiences of the participants’ journeys, thus giving a deeper insight to the commonalities of the participants’ voices which is rarely reported in the literature (Sandelowski, 2011). Findings: A common set of phenomena became apparent when the cases were analysed, these included: trust, intensity and worthwhile. It is intended this paper gives some opportunity for reflection and shared empathetic responses to the similar experiences discussed. Originality/value: The case-orientated analysis adds value to the evidence base by highlighting the importance of the qualitative voice of both the staff and service user. This is important because most available literature reflects the process of setting up a team or DBT service, rather than describing the team experience. Equally, most published literature regarding the effectiveness of DBT is not written from the perspective of the people who receive the therapy. (Edited publisher abstract)
Contraceptive choices for women with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- EARLE Sarah, et al
- Publisher:
- Open University. Faculty of Health and Social Care
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 66
- Place of publication:
- Milton Keynes
This report presents key findings from interviews undertaken with 19 women with learning disabilities about their experiences of contraceptive decision-making. The stories were gathered by an inclusive team of female researchers from the Open University who interviewed women across a range of UK settings.The research looked specifically at why women believe they are receiving contraceptive care, how have women made decisions about what sort of contraception would be useful to them, whether they feel supported to make contraceptive decisions, and the type of support the women have received to understand contraceptive care and its implications. The research found that women’s experiences of contraceptive decision-making vary hugely, as do levels of experience, knowledge and understanding. One key finding reported was that women appreciate staff who will listen carefully to concerns about contraception and relationships and support then to access the best contraception care. Other key findings include that: a few women make very independent choices about sex and contraception and others are supported to make contraceptive choices by family, friends, advocates and health and social care professionals; women are sometimes on contraception because they are not trusted or believed, or because they are thought to be ‘at risk’ of pregnancy and abuse; some women do not receive suitable information or advice to make informed choices and decisions; and some women reported having been forced to use contraception when it was not needed. Drawing on the research finding, the report sets out implications for policy, practice and future research to help support women with learning disabilities to make appropriate contraceptive choices. (Edited publisher abstract)
What helps women who have learning disabilities get checked for cervical cancer?
- Author:
- MONTEITH Elaine
- Publisher:
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 16
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
Reports the findings of practitioner research to identify what prevents women with learning disabilities accessing cervical screening in Scotland, and what could assist them in accessing this service. The research methodology was largely qualitative. It involved a literature review and interviews with women with learning disabilities and personal assistants who had supported woman with learning disabilities during their career to gather their views, feelings and attitudes. In total six people were interviewed; three were women randomly selected and all were over the age of twenty-five (the age where women should have been invited to attend at least one cervical screening appointment) with learning disabilities; one of whom had accessed cervical screening services and three personal assistants. Analysis of the data gathered from one-to-one interviews was compared to findings of the studies identified through a literature review. Analysis of the findings from the literature review and the interview process suggest that cervical screening for women with learning disabilities is not routinely accessed. From the data collated and analysed, possible barriers are pain, perceived pain, embarrassment and lack of information that can be easily understood. It is concluded that to best enable women to attend for screening an awareness and education of the importance of attending the appointment for both PAs and people supported should be raised. The paper was produced as part of the PROP2 (Practitioner Research: Outcomes and Partnership) programme, a partnership between the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR) at the University of Edinburgh and IRISS covering health and social care in Scotland. (Edited publisher abstract)
Sterilization, intellectual disability, and some ethical and methodological challenges: it shouldn't be a secret
- Authors:
- STEFANSDOTTIR Guarun, HREINSDOTTIR Eyglo Ebba
- Journal article citation:
- Ethics and Social Welfare, 7(3), 2013, pp.302-308.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Abingdon
This article discusses the experience of an Icelandic woman with intellectual disabilities who was sterilized and how she has dealt with it. It also reflects on some ethical and methodological issues that arise during inclusive life history research. The article is based on cooperation between two women, Eygló Ebba Hreinsdóttir, who was labelled with intellectual disabilities when she moved to an institution in Iceland in the 1970s, and the researcher Guðrún V. Stefánsdóttir. The article is based on a recorded conversation between Ebba and Gudrun and the work of the Icelandic women's history group in which both participated for three years. Ebba was sterilized when she was 14 years old but didn't know about the sterilization until she was 27. The article describes the deep emotional impact and how she came to terms with it. (Edited publisher abstract)
Subjective quality of life of women with intellectual disabilities: the role of perceived control over their own life in self-determined behaviour
- Authors:
- STRNADOVA Iva, EVANS David
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 25(1), January 2012, pp.71-79.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Using participants recruited in Australia and the Czech Republic, this study examined the subjective perception of quality of life in adult women with intellectual disabilities, the level of self determination shown, and the barriers to self-determination. Women aged 40 years or older with intellectual disabilities were recruited through agencies for people with intellectual disabilities in Sydney (28 women) and Prague (27 women). Semi-structured interviews were carried out, transcribed and analysed using a grounded theory approach. The strongest theme identified in the interviews was the lack of control participants perceived they had over their lives. The article discusses the findings, with examples from the interviews, including causes of women experiencing reduced or lack of control over their own lives and strategies to gain control over their lives.
Good times, bad times: women with learning difficulties telling their stories
- Editors:
- ATKINSON Dorothy, et al, (eds.)
- Publisher:
- British Institute of Learning Disabilities
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 243p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Kidderminster
Women with a learning disability give voice to their thoughts and feelings on the topics which matter to them most, including relationships, children and work. The book also records the way in which women with and without learning disability worked side by side to make their voices heard. The book includes an illustrated accessible version.