Emotional problems and intellectual disability: comparing groups with and without forensic involvement

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 239-248
Author(s):  
Rachel Craven ◽  
Lyn Shelton

Purpose Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are known to experience increased emotional and behavioural concerns. The study aims to assess whether detained ID patients with a forensic history (IDPF) have increased difficulty managing their impulse control in comparison to detained ID patients without a forensic history (IDP). Using the externalising behaviour problems (EBP) subscale of the EPS, the study aims to compare the differences between the IDFP and IDP groups. Design/methodology/approach A total of 60 patients with ID detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (Revised 2007) were assessed using the behaviour rating scale of the EPS. The outcome scores of the EBP were used to examine any observed differences between the scores of forensically involved patients [n = 34] and those without a forensic history [n = 26]. It was hypothesised that patients with a forensic history would display higher scoring on externalised behavioural problems (EBP) than patients without such a history. Findings Non-parametric testing revealed that there were no significant differences in EBP scoring between the two sample groups. These findings indicate that, for patients in the present study, no differences were detected in the presentation of these two distinct groups. In fact, with the exception of the verbal aggression subscale of the EBP, the other three subscales (physical aggression, non-compliance and hyperactivity) show that actually the IDP group displayed the higher ranked means in these subscales when compared with the forensically involved group. Originality/value These results indicate possible increased treatment needs within the IDP group and question whether offending history is necessarily a reliable predictor of ongoing hostility and behavioural concerns within similar inpatient services.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Bellavance ◽  
Morin Diane ◽  
Catherine Mello

Purpose The behavioral phenotype of fragile X syndrome (FXS) and intellectual disability (ID) proposed by Hagerman et al. (2009) was primarily based on data from male children and teens. The purpose of this study was to promote a better understanding of how this condition manifests in adults. Design/methodology/approach A total of 18 men of FXS were paired with men with Down syndrome on the basis of age and level of ID. A screening checklist was created on the basis of existing scales and the Hagerman et al. (2009) behavioral phenotype and completed by care providers. Findings Five of the 12 features of the phenotype were significantly more present among men with FXS than in men with Down syndrome. Originality/value This study provides partial confirmation for Hagerman et al.’s (2009) behavioral phenotype of FXS among men with moderate ID and identified some traits that warrant further investigation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 101-107
Author(s):  
Afra Kelsall ◽  
John Devapriam

Purpose – Winterbourne and Mid-Staffordshire scandals have had a significant impact on how Care Quality Commission inspects and regulates intellectual disability services (IDS). The purpose of this paper is to describe the changes and development of regulation of these services and future work. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a descriptive paper. Findings – A new regulatory model is currently implemented for IDS. It has been developed in consultation with patients, carers, providers and other stakeholders. There will be ongoing development and refinement of the inspection methodology. Originality/value – This is an original descriptive paper which will provide useful information to readers on how the regulatory process works in IDS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-12
Author(s):  
Brenda Frederiks

Purpose In the Netherlands, as in England, concerns exist about the extent of and frequency with which freedom-restricting measures are applied. The view is that use of these measures needs to decrease. The purpose of this paper is to outline new legislation that is expected to come into force in the Netherlands in 2020. Design/methodology/approach This paper provides a description of legislation entering into force on 1 January 2020. Findings Many of the new legislation’s practical implications remain unclear, including the definition of involuntary care. Research limitations/implications The new legislation will start being monitored directly after coming into force, and only then the authors will make out what works well and what does not. Practical implications Introducing new legislation on coercion is not sufficient. Careful implementation of the legislation is important, including the way it defines involuntary care. Originality/value In 2020, the Netherlands is introducing new legislation on involuntary care for people with an intellectual disability. This includes a definition of involuntary care.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-125
Author(s):  
Nicola Clare Grove

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of key word sign by staff in organisations working with children and adults who have intellectual disabilities. Design/methodology/approach This commentary provides an overview of both historical and recent research in this area. Findings After a dearth of research on signing, new studies are emerging, but appear to identify the same issues – and many of the same solutions – as those from 40 years ago. Social implications Sign needs to be seen as a cultural intervention necessitating attitude change and policy development. Originality/value Paradigm shifts in the field of intervention and in AAC are needed to address these issues.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Soo Kim ◽  
Minsoo Kang ◽  
Minjung Kim

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the category function of the sport fandom questionnaire (SFQ), determine the optimal categorization of the SFQ and calibrate the measurement qualities of the newly modified rating scale option using Rasch analysis.Design/methodology/approachThis paper relies on the Rasch analysis to validate the SFQ. A series of studies are performed based on analysis procedures for the responses from 244 (study 1) and 477 (study 2) participants.FindingsThe results revealed that the original SFQ consisting of the eight-category rating scale is flagged due to irregular observation distribution and disordering of thresholds, whereas both six-category and seven-category rating scales meet the guidelines for the optimal categorization. However, only the seven-category rating scale showed desirable model-data fit indices. Furthermore, the results of the Rasch calibration model showed that all items of the SFQ have large variability, and a person's ability level varied moderately along the continuum.Originality/valueUnlike previous studies, examining the psychometric properties of the SFQ, the current study provides information about the optimal categorization and presents a novel reconstruction category in measuring individuals' sport fandom level. In measuring the level of sport fandom, the authors suggest the use of a seven-category rating scale that the current study found to exhibit reliability and construct validity.


2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lois Cameron

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to reflect on “Finding the sparkle: storytelling in the lives of people with learning disabilities”, Nicola Grove's paper highlighting the power of the story as one approach to empower people with intellectual disability. Design/methodology/approach – This commentary reflects on the power of personal story sharing as a way to empower people with intellectual disability, value their experience and promote inclusion. Findings – Personal stories are important because they help both ourselves and others understand who we are. Stories are not static and stories can be told from different perspectives. Telling stories can be protective and healing. Originality/value – Communication that develops social closeness is important and can be undervalued. There needs to be a greater focus on ensuring people without words can tell their stories and on services recognising the importance of this.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-124
Author(s):  
Harm Boer ◽  
Anupama Iyer

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore three main areas in relation to the interface between challenging behaviour and offending. Design/methodology/approach The first aim is to explore the labelling of behaviours as challenging or offending behaviour in the light of legal definitions, staff knowledge and beliefs and the mental capacity and mental health acts. The second is to explore challenging behaviour as a risk factor for offending in people with Intellectual Disability (ID).The third aim is to discuss the challenging behaviour as a barrier to discharge from secure services. Findings There is limited research suggesting that challenging behaviour such as physical aggression can lead to longer stay in forensic services, and this warrants further research. Originality/value This paper aims to promote discussion about the interface of offending and challenging behaviour in people with IDs and to promote best practice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-86
Author(s):  
Sara Willott ◽  
Wendy Badger ◽  
Vicky Evans

Purpose People with an intellectual disability are much more likely to be sexually violated and the violation is less likely to be reported. Despite this being high-lighted at least 3 decades ago and improvements in both safeguarding and national reporting processes, under-reporting remains a problem. This paper explored under-reporting alongside prevention possibilities using safeguarding alerts raised in a Community Learning Disability Team within a UK NHS trust. Design/methodology/approach Using a combination of authentic but anonymised case vignettes and descriptive data drawn from the safeguarding team, under-reporting was examined through the lens of an ecological model. Safeguarding alerts raised in a particular year were compared with the number expected if all (estimated) cases of abuse were disclosed and reported. Findings Only 4.4 per cent of expected abuse cases were reported to the team, which is lower than the reporting level the authors had expected from the literature. There is evidence in the literature of the under-reporting of sexual assault for all kinds of people. Arguably, the implications of under-reporting for PwID are even more traumatic. Research limitations/implications Constraints included the lack of standardisation in data collection within the statutory services that report to the Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board. One key recommendation is that the national provider of data for the NHS in the UK requires more complex and standardised audit information that would allow each local authority to benchmark their practice against a higher protection standard. Another recommendation is that compliance to quality standards sits within a comprehensive strategy. Originality/value This paper explored the extent to which the previously documented under-reporting concern remains an issue. Certainly eye-balling safeguarding compliance data in the NHS organisation we worked in led us to a concern that reporting might be even lower than implied in the literature. This together with a renewed spot-light on sexual violence (e.g, NHS England, 2018) led us to decide that it was timely to re-examine the problem.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 233-237
Author(s):  
Scott Spreat

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the prevalence with which individuals with intellectual disability are housed in jails and prisons. Design/methodology/approach This was a literature review of individuals with intellectual disability who are in prison. Findings Persons with intellectual disability are imprisoned approximately seven times more frequently than would be expected by their prevalence in the general population. Research limitations/implications Factors likely to contribute to this overrepresentation are reviewed, including need for supports and acquiescence of people with intellectual disability. Practical implications People who have intellectual disability do not receive needed supports and services in prison. Social implications Supports are needed to end this overreliance on prisons to support people who have intellectual disability. Originality/value The paper highlights the magnitude by which imprisonment exceeds the level that would be expected from population prevalence alone. It highlights the problems associated with insufficient funding and supports.


Author(s):  
Deborah J. Morris ◽  
Shubhinder Shergill ◽  
Elizabeth Beber

Purpose People with an intellectual disability (ID) are more at risk of experiencing adverse childhood events. Moreover, prolonged exposure to ACEs results in enduring changes and impairments in neurological, physiological and psycho-social systems and functioning. In response, van der Kolk et al. (2009) have put forward the concept of developmental trauma disorder (DTD) to reflect the “constellation of enduring symptoms” and complex care needs of this population. The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the level of exposure to adverse childhood events and the prevalence of DTD in an inpatient forensic ID population. Design/methodology/approach A retrospective file review and consensus approach to diagnosis were used in a sample of adults with an ID detained in a secure forensic service. Findings Results revealed that 89 admissions (N=123) had been exposed to at least one significant ACE, with 81 being exposed to prolonged ACEs. A total of 58 admissions (47 per cent) met criteria for PTSD and 80 (65 per cent) met the criteria for DTD. Significant gender differences were noted in MHA status, primary psychiatric diagnoses, exposure to ACEs and DTD. Research limitations/implications The discussion explores the implications for working with forensic ID populations who report high incidents of childhood trauma and the utility, strengths and weaknesses of the proposed DTD, its relationship to ID diagnoses is explored. Originality/value The study outlines the prevalence of DTD and PTSD in ID forensic populations and suggests additional key assessment and treatment needs for this population.


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