scholarly journals The Design, Content and Delivery of Relationship and Sexuality Education Programmes for People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review of the International Evidence

Author(s):  
Michael Brown ◽  
Edward McCann ◽  
Maria Truesdale ◽  
Mark Linden ◽  
Lynne Marsh

There is growing empirical evidence regarding the relationship and sexuality experiences and needs of children, young people and adults with intellectual disabilities. A total of twelve papers met the inclusion criteria regarding relationship and sexuality education (RSE) programmes specific to the needs of this population. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed and quality appraisal undertaken. The four themes identified were principles informing RSE programme development, design and content of RSE programmes, delivery of RSE programmes and evaluation of RSE programmes. The discussion presents areas that need to be addressed to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities, their families, carers and professionals are fully involved in the design and delivery of RSE programmes. Further research is required to identify the impact of the programmes and the sustained outcomes achieved. Recommendations are made regarding the activities required to enable the development of evidence-based and person-centred approaches to relationship and sexuality programmes.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe Crompton ◽  
Bethany Duncan ◽  
Graham Simpson-Adkins

Purpose This paper aims to systematically review the available evidence that explores adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in people with intellectual disabilities (PwID). It is important to systematically review this literature as, to date, there is little known about the number of studies in this area, despite the World Health Organization declaring ACE prevention and support as a global public health priority. Design/methodology/approach Published studies were identified from electronic database searches. Key journals and reference lists were also hand searched. Findings Two studies met the inclusion criteria and the prevalence and frequency of ACEs experienced by participants of these studies analysed. Overall, due to the small number of studies meeting the inclusion criteria, it is difficult to establish any meaningful conclusions. Originality/value This appears to be the first systematic review to try and identify a research base looking at the prevalence of ACEs within a PwID population. Findings suggest that this is a highly neglected area of research, and the authors hope to have identified that further evidence is required to draw clearer conclusions about the impact of ACEs on PwID.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Maine ◽  
Michael Brown ◽  
Adele Dickson ◽  
Maria Truesdale

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience significant barriers to diabetes self-management (DSM), yet there remains a paucity of research within this population. An overview of the literature on people with ID and their caregivers’ experiences of living with and self-managing type 2 diabetes is provided. Meta-aggregative methods were adopted to synthesize results, and an appraisal was reported of rigor. A total of eight studies met the inclusion criteria and four themes were extracted: (i) “Frustration over lifestyle adjustments,” (ii) “Limited understanding and inadequate educational resources,” (iii) “Limited training and knowledge in staff,” and (iv) “Potential for effective DSM with appropriate support.” Current support is inadequate to meet the needs of people with ID and their caregivers self-managing diabetes. Structured education to improve health literacy and diabetes knowledge in people with ID is required, together with training for caregivers which leads to a culture of nurturing autonomy.


2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Attracta Lafferty ◽  
Roy McConkey ◽  
Audrey Simpson

Opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities to participate in relationships and sexuality education (RSE) are often constrained by the attitudes and perceptions of family carers, frontline support workers and professional staff. In order to understand how the barriers might be reduced, a study was undertaken in Northern Ireland with samples drawn from these three stakeholder groups, involving nearly 100 persons and using group and individual interviews. Although there was agreement on the need for RSE, four barriers were commonly reported: the need to protect vulnerable persons; the lack of training; the scarcity of educational resources; and cultural prohibitions. The impact of these barriers could be lessened through partnership working across these groups involving the provision of training and information about RSE, the development of risk management procedures and the empowerment of people with intellectual disabilities.


Author(s):  
John L. Taylor ◽  
William R. Lindsay ◽  
John Devapriam

Offending behaviour and intellectual disability has long been—erroneously—associated in the literature and this misattribution has shaped services for this population. In this chapter, the relationship between intellectual disability and criminality is described along with the impact on the care and treatment of people in this population. Developments in the assessment of risk are outlined and clinical interventions for fire setting, sexually aggressive and violent behaviour are detailed, along with consideration of service level outcomes. Over the last 20 years or so there have been significant developments in clinical assessment and treatment approaches for people with intellectual disabilities who offend, however more rigorous and larger scale research is required to support further advances.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 169-179
Author(s):  
Sarah Cameron ◽  
James Swanton ◽  
Dave Dagnan

Purpose This study aims to explore the applicability of Bordin’s model of therapeutic alliance in talking therapies for people with intellectual disabilities. Design/methodology/approach People with intellectual disabilities and therapists in six therapy dyads were interviewed using a qualitative methodology. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to explore how people with learning disabilities constructed the dimensions of therapeutic alliance. Content analysis was then used to focus on therapy bond, therapy tasks and goals to explore the agreement on these dimensions between the therapist and client. Findings People with intellectual disabilities reported their experience of therapy in a way that initially validates the alliance dimensions of Bordin’s model. There was clear overlap within most dyads in the description of the characteristics of the bond, the tasks undertaken and the goals of therapy. Some therapists described additional goals based on their therapeutic model that were not clearly described by the client working with them. Research limitations/implications This study is limited by only including six therapy dyads; however, the results suggest further research on the impact of therapy alliance and how goals and tasks are agreed would be valuable. Originality/value Very few studies have explicitly examined the client’s view of therapy alliance.


Author(s):  
M. Dolores Gil-Llario ◽  
Irene Díaz-Rodríguez ◽  
Vicente Morell-Mengual ◽  
Beatriz Gil-Juliá ◽  
Rafael Ballester-Arnal

Abstract Introduction The lockdown due to COVID-19 affected the sexual health of the people with intellectual disabilities by differentially modifying the frequency and characteristics of people’s sexual activity depending on whether or not they lived with a partner during this period. The aim of this study was to analyze the extent to which the sexual behavior of people with intellectual disabilities (with and without a partner) was affected during the lockdown. Methods The sample consisted of 73 people with intellectual disabilities between 21 and 63 years old (M = 39.63; SD = 10.11). The variables analyzed were the physical, social, and technological environment during the lockdown, sexual appetite, sexual behavior, online sexual activity, and sexual abuse. The data were collected between the months of May and June of 2020. Results The lockdown increased the sexual appetite of a third of the sample (38%), especially the youngest participants. Sexual activity focused on autoeroticism and online behavior, particularly sending nude images of oneself (88%) and viewing pornography (83.6%). Rates of sexual abuse during this period were relatively high (6.8%). Conclusions The sexual activity of people with ID was important during the lockdown, and they had to adapt to the circumstances of isolation in a similar way to the general population. Technological improvements in terms of devices and connection quality at home allowed their sexual behavior to be reoriented, opening the door to new risks for the sexual health of people with ID. Policy Implications Cybersex and the increase in sexual abuse due to confinement are aspects that should be included in programs to improve the sexual health of this group.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 1759720X2098121
Author(s):  
Gustavo Constantino de Campos ◽  
Raman Mundi ◽  
Craig Whittington ◽  
Marie-Josée Toutounji ◽  
Wilson Ngai ◽  
...  

Aims: The objective of this review was to examine the relationship between osteoarthritis (OA) and mobility-related comorbidities, specifically diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). It also investigated the relationship between OA and mortality. Methods: An overview of meta-analyses was conducted by performing two targeted searches from inception to June 2020. The association between OA and (i) DM or CVD ( via PubMed and Embase); and (ii) mortality ( via PubMed) was investigated. Meta-analyses were selected if they included studies that examined adults with OA at any site and reported associations between OA and DM, CVD, or mortality. Evidence was synthesized qualitatively. Results: Six meta-analyses met inclusion criteria. One meta-analysis of 20 studies demonstrated a statistically significant association between OA and DM, with pooled odds ratio of 1.41 (95% confidence interval: 1.21, 1.65; n = 1,040,175 patients). One meta-analysis of 15 studies demonstrated significantly increased risk of CVD among OA patients, with a pooled risk ratio of 1.24 (1.12, 1.37, n = 358,944 patients). Stratified by type of CVD, OA was shown to be associated with increased heart failure (HF) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) and reduced transient ischemic attack (TIA). There was no association reported for stroke or myocardial infarction (MI). Three meta-analyses did not find a significant association between OA (any site) and all-cause mortality. However, OA was found to be significantly associated with cardiovascular-related death across two meta-analyses. Conclusion: The identified meta-analyses reported significantly increased risk of both DM and CVD (particularly, HF and IHD) among OA patients. It was not possible to confirm consistent directional or causal relationships. OA was found to be associated with increased mortality, but mostly in relation to CVD-related mortality, suggesting that further study is warranted in this area.


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