scholarly journals Attitudes of education and rehabilitation students towards individuals with intellectual disabilities

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-127
Author(s):  
Milena Nikolić

The attitudes of education and rehabilitation students towards people with intellectual disabilities are very important, because they aim to be future professionals who will provide educational and rehabilitation treatment to these people, as well as advocates for their rights and needs. This study aimed to analyse the attitudes of students towards people with intellectual disabilities and to determine whether their attitudes differed based on self assessments and sources of knowledge about intellectual disabilities, ways of getting to know a person with intellectual disabilities, and number of years of education. The study involved 100 students undergoing their first cycle of studies at the Faculty for Special Education and Rehabilitation, University of Tuzla. The Mental Retardation Attitude Inventory-Revised (MRAI-R) and a general questionnaire were used in this study. The results show that students express positive attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities, they are positive about educational integration of these people, and respect their rights. They do not express to need to socially distance from them and do not attribute unfavourable characteristics to these people. There were no differences in attitudes based on self-assessments of knowledge and the sources of knowledge about intellectual disabilities, or the way in which they got to know a person with intellectual disabilities. There was a significant difference in attitudes based on the number of years of education: fourth-year students were observed to express the highest degree of positive attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities globally and towards the integration of these people in society, and they expressed the lowest level of social distance. Given the small sample of research subjects, as well as the fact that the study involved students of one education and rehabilitation faculty. in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the results obtained and the conclusions derived from them should be considered with caution. Future research should include a larger sample of education and rehabilitation students to verify the results obtained in this study.

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 885-900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward McCann ◽  
Lynne Marsh ◽  
Michael Brown

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to examine the research evidence concerning the views and experiences of people with intellectual disabilities regarding their participation in and the effectiveness of relationship and sex education programmes. Methods: A systematic search of relevant electronic databases was conducted using defined inclusion criteria. All papers reviewed were from October 1998 to October 2018. PRISMA guidelines were followed in the design and reporting of the systematic review. Results: A total of eight studies published in English were included in the review. Data were analysed and the key themes identified were (1) designing and developing relationship and sex education programmes, (2) participating in relationship and sex education programmes and (3) perceived benefits of relationship and sex education programme participation. Conclusion: This review identified that people with intellectual disabilities are accessing relationship and sex education programmes and appear to find them helpful. Further research is required to investigate the extent to which programmes impact on long-term behaviours that enable the development of sustainable relationships and reduce the unintended consequences of sexual activities. Implications for policy, practice and future research developments are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Reymunde Wittmer ◽  
Steven Reggie ◽  
Erin O'Hora ◽  
Diane DellaValle

Abstract Objectives Youth in weight-classified combat sports may attempt to change body weight to gain performance advantage. Differences between weight-for-age percentiles (WAP) and performance in youth wrestlers remains unknown. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the differences in performance between wrestlers above and below the 50th WAP over a wrestling season. Methods Participants included 22 male wrestlers from a team in the Pennsylvania Elementary Wrestling League (8.8 ± 2.1 years of age, 2.3 ± 2.3 years of experience). Retrospective data included age, weight, years of experience, family history, and frequency of wins, losses and forfeits over a 3-month wrestling season. Average WAP were calculated using CDC growth charts and wrestlers were assigned to one of two groups <50 th WAP (n = 10) and >50 th WAP (n = 12). Wrestlers were also categorized into two groups in terms of experience (≤2 years, >2 years). Differences between the two groups in performance variables were examined using ANOVA. Results We observed a significant difference between <50th and >50th WAP groups in total forfeits (0.6 ± 1.0; 2.0 ± 1.5, respectively, P < 0.02). There was an interaction observed between WAP group and years of experience in number of total forfeits (P < 0.132) such that wrestlers with <2 years of experience and <50th WAP experienced fewer total forfeits (0.3 ± 0.8) than those >50th percentile (2.0 ± 1.4). Those with more experience in <50th WAP also had fewer forfeits compared to >50th WAP. A similar interaction was observed between WAP group and years of experience in number of total losses (P < 0.187). Wrestlers with <2 years of experience, and <50th WAP experienced more total losses (4.8 ± 1.5) than wrestlers >50th WAP (2.0 ± 1.4). Those with more experience and <50th WAP experienced fewer losses than those >50th WAP. Conclusions We observed a significant difference in forfeits between average WAP groups and an interaction between experience and WAP groups in losses and forfeits in this small sample. Further research is needed to provide insight into how WAP mayaffect performance in this population. Future research may include a larger population, and variables such as BMI-for-age, hydration status, nutrition, body composition and additional factors that affect both weight and performance. Funding Sources n/a.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 286-286
Author(s):  
Robin Kate Kelley ◽  
John Dozier Gordan ◽  
Kimberley Evason ◽  
Paige M. Bracci ◽  
Nancy M. Joseph ◽  
...  

286 Background: Mutations in TP53 and CTNNB1 are common in early stage HCC resection samples. The frequency and prognostic impact of these mutations in advanced HCC is not known. We conducted this retrospective analysis using a large NGS panel to explore for association between tumor genetics, clinicopathologic features, and prognosis in an advanced HCC cohort. Methods: Eligible cases had diagnosis of unresectable HCC or mixed HCC-cholangiocarcinoma and were enrolled on NCT01008917 or NCT01687673 clinical trials of sorafenib plus temsirolimus with informed consent for specimen banking for future research including genetic testing. Paired tumor and germline (blood) DNA samples were sequenced using a capture-based NGS cancer panel to allow for determination of somatic variants. Analysis was based on the human reference sequence UCSC build hg19. Variants were called using GATK Unified Genotyper software. Somatic, non-synonymous, and exonic calls were curated using COSMIC, cBioPortal, and Pubmed. Results: Cases with HCC (n = 21) and mixed HCC-cholangiocarcinoma (n = 2) comprised the cohort (N = 23). Male/female: 83%/17%. Race: White 56%, Asian 39%. BCLC stage: B 35%, C 65%. Etiology: HBsAg+ 26%, HCV+ 39%. Immune infiltrates ( ≥ 1 on scale 0-3) were present in 7/12 (58%) evaluable tumor samples. TP53 mutations were present in 14/23 (61%, 95% CI: 38.5, 80.0). CTNNB1 mutations were present in 7/23 (30%, 95% CI: 13.2, 52.9). There was no significant difference between HBsAg+ and HCV+. Both TP53 and CTNNB1 mutation were present in 4/23 (17%). CTNNB1 mutation was present in 2/7 (29%) cases with immune infiltrate score ≥ 1, and 1/5 (20%) with score < 1 (not significant). Other mutations and variants will be reported. Conclusions: NGS in this advanced HCC cohort suggests a higher incidence of TP53 and coexisting TP53 plus CTNNB1 mutations than has been reported in early stage HCC which requires confirmation in a larger cohort. There was no clear relationship between these mutations, HCC etiology, or tumor immune infiltrates though interpretation is limited by small sample sizes. Analyses are ongoing to explore for association between TP53 and CTNNB1 mutations and prognosis in this advanced HCC cohort.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Santinele Martino ◽  
Jordyn Perreault-Laird

This exploratory study examined the attitudes and experiences of a small sample of direct care workers' experiences of addressing the sexual expression and practices of their clients with intellectual disabilities. Drawing on in-depth interviews with direct care workers in Alberta, Canada, we use Foucault's work to examine the way power is exercised through organizational policies, personal values, and employment contexts. Altogether, the accounts of direct care workers seem to illuminate a culture that commonly sees disability and sexuality as antithetical and a topic to be avoided for fear of reprisal.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Nikita Dwi Mulyaningsih ◽  
Mury Ririanty ◽  
Erwin Nur Rif’ah

Intellectual disabilities were people who have a level of intelligence so low (below normal) that they needed help in carrying out activities. People with intellectual disabilities can strike sexual violence because of the stigma about disabilities are a-sexual creatures, especially intellectual disabilities. Therefore, the community restricted the access of health information, especially sexual matters. Besides that, there were several obstacles in conveying health information to people with intellectual disabilities due to the limitations of mental retardation understanding the contents. This is also supported by the lack of media that used to deliver material to intellectual disabilities people. The purpose of this research is to produce a puzzle that can protect people with intellectual disabilities from sexual violence. Research and development with a qualitative approach. Using interview, document study and observation methods. The research subjects consisted of eleven people consisting of six teachers of SLB-C TPA Jember, one Headmaster of SLB-C TPA Jember, three psychologists of Garwita Institute and one media expert. Data collection tools are interview guides, observation guides, handphones and stationery. The knowledge about sexual violence and puberty of most informants was still lacking. The informants agreed that girls with intellectual disabilities have a problem with their puberty period and sexual violence. The teachers always give education about puberty and how to protect their self from sexual violence. The informants also agreed that girls with intellectual disabilities need a puzzle that has message education about puberty and sexual violence. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Hardiman ◽  
Corrina Willmoth ◽  
James J. Walsh

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the effects of compassion-focussed therapy (CFT) on anxiety in a small sample of adults with intellectual disability. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods design was employed. Participants (n=3) completed questionnaire measures of anxiety and self-compassion on three occasions: pre-intervention, post-intervention and, at three months follow-up. Post-intervention, they also took part in recorded interviews that were analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Findings were then synthesised to develop a comprehensive understanding of their overall experience. Findings Final data synthesis revealed five themes: participant anxiety decreased (reliable for all participants); the faulty self; improved positive compassionate attitudes; increased sense of common humanity; and mindful distraction techniques. Research limitations/implications This research paper offers in-depth analysis of three participants’ experiences rather than reporting in less detail about a larger number of participants. The self-compassion scale required considerable support and reasonable adaptation to be used with these clients. Originality/value Only two other studies have explored the use of CFT with people with intellectual disabilities.


Author(s):  
Kerri M Lehman ◽  
Kevin L Burke ◽  
Randall Martin ◽  
Jennifer Sultan ◽  
Daniel R Czech

AbstractThe ability to effectively cope with stress has been demonstrated to be an important factor in warding off potential physical disease and psychological distress. Responses to stressful events have been shown to greatly vary across individuals. Research has shown that intervening variables, such as cognitive appraisals of stressful events, can markedly affect the amount of stress (e.g., mood disturbance, anxiety, changes in neurotransmitter concentrations, suppression of immune system functioning) individuals experience. One such intervening variable, productive humor, was hypothesized to have a positive stress-moderating effect.Four different experimental conditions were used to assess the impact of a stressful situation on mood and anxiety state. Two conditions had subjects produce a humorous narrative in response to the stressful situation. One of these conditions included an instructional video on the use of productive humor. A third condition had subjects produce an intellectual narrative, while a fourth condition had subjects produce no narrative. The humorous narrative conditions were hypothesized to lead to the greatest moderation in stress (i.e., mood and anxiety).In the humorous narrative (without training) condition, subjects who were more successful at producing the narratives showed significantly more moderated changes in mood and anxiety levels pre-task to post-task. These changes were not significantly different from the intellectual or no narrative conditions. The significant difference found between high versus low humorous narrative producers may be accounted for in terms of success versus non-success at completing the experimental task.Finally, among subjects with initially high pre-task mood or anxiety levels and high tendencies to use productive humor, successful performance of some type of a verbal, cognitive task (i.e., humorous or intellectual narrative) was found to be more beneficial in moderating the effects of stress versus silence. These latter findings were based on patterns of results from post hoc analyses with small sample sizes, thus suggesting the need for future research along similar lines.


2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Thompson ◽  
John Rose

Staff stress and burnout is a prominent area of research in relation to services for people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of this article is to review the literature in relation to organizational climate in order to investigate whether there is a relationship between organizational variables and staff burnout. A systematic literature search yielded 21 articles which fell into two categories. Earlier studies tended to focus on deinstitutionalization, whereas later studies appeared to be influenced by work-stress theories, including ‘person–environment fit’ and demand control. Overall, it was found that an organizational climate that has a better ‘person–environment’ fit promotes greater job satisfaction and reduced burnout. Future research could focus upon the social or therapeutic aspects of the environment within services for people with intellectual disabilities to address an area of research which appears to have been overlooked.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Hammond ◽  
Nigel Beail

Purpose There has been little empirical investigation into the theoretical relationship between moral reasoning and offending in people with intellectual disabilities (ID). The purpose of this paper is to compare offending and non-offending ID groups on a new measure of social-moral awareness, and on theory of mind (ToM). Design/methodology/approach A between groups design was used. The scores of 21 male offenders and 21 male non-offenders, all with ID and matched for IQ, were compared on the Social-Moral Awareness Test (SMAT) and on two ToM tasks. Findings There was no significant difference in SMAT scores or on first- or second-order ToM tasks between offending and non-offending groups. Better ToM performance significantly predicted higher SMAT scores and non-offending groups. Better ToM performance significantly predicted higher SMAT scores. Research limitations/implications Results were inconsistent with previous research. Further work is required to establish the validity and theoretical underpinnings of the SMAT. Development in the measurement of ToM for people with ID is also required. Originality/value This is the first use of the SMAT with a population of offenders who have ID. The findings suggest caution in its use in clinical settings.


10.28945/3900 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 181-193
Author(s):  
Michelle C Lizotte ◽  
Stacy C. Simplican

Aim/Purpose: Doctoral students with disabilities represent 5 to 10 percent of the graduate student population and, yet, research seldom documents their experiences. We propose a research agenda and methodological approaches that circumvent these limitations, including a substantive focus on universal design to measure graduate program’s awareness of disability, experimental methods to minimize response bias, and ways to redefine disability to improve recruitment of potential research subjects. Background: Research suggests that doctoral students with disabilities face different challenges than undergraduate students with disabilities and that graduate advisers are pivotal to their success. Existing literature has several limitations, including small sample sizes, a reliance on survey and interview data, little attention to issues of diversity within doctoral students with disabilities, and difficulty defining disability. Methodology: This article utilizes a systemic literature review (SLR) in order to describe the current state of both the research and the practice of doctoral students with disabilities. Contribution: This paper defines major gaps in the existing literature and addresses potential ways to address these gaps through research and practice. Findings: There are barriers for doctoral students with disabilities at every level of the process, which is not being addressed or remediated resulting in greater disadvantages and decreased successful outcomes. Recommendations for Practitioners: In this context, practitioners will refer to professionals employed at university disability centers and university faculty. Recommendations include disability awareness and resource training for university faculty and staff. Faculty can maintain open lines of communication with their students and advisees related to disability and accommodations as well as increasing program flexibility. Recommendation for Researchers: Research is critically needed regarding the experiences, needs, and outcomes of doctoral students with disabilities. This research needs to come from both the individuals, faculty, and systemic level of higher education. Impact on Society: Individuals with disabilities are the largest minority group in the United States. However, this population rarely receives the research, funding, services, and social attention paid to other marginalized groups. Future Research: Future research needs to utilize larger scale quantitative studies to obtain reliable data. Longitudinal information would greatly improve the information regarding outcomes for doctoral students with disabilities.


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