No abstract

A components analysis of a cognitive-behavioral anger management program was conducted with mentally retarded adults attending vocational training programs. Self-control training was given in one of four groups: relaxation training, self-instruction, problem solving, or a combined anger management condition. The dependent measures included self-reports, ratings of videotaped roleplays, and supervisor ratings. The results revealed decreases in aggressive responding over time and no significant between-group differences. The study suggests that anger management training with groups of mentally retarded adults may be effective.

Social strain has been identified as a trigger for both depression and physical health problems, but has not been well researched in people with intellectual disability (ID). The present study contrasted the effects of social support with social strain on depressive symptoms, somatic complaints and quality of life over time in adults with mild ID. The level of social support explained a significant proportion of variance in quality of life 6 months later, but not depressive symptoms or somatic complaints. In contrast, the level of social strain accounted for a significant proportion of variance in depressive symptoms and somatic complaints 6 months later, but not quality of life. The results suggest that interpersonal relationships can be both positively and negatively associated with physical and mental health for people with ID.

The policy of deinstitutionalization was based on the proposition that quality of life (QoL) of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) will improve as a result of being moved from institutions to community‐based care settings. The aim of this literature review was to evaluate whether this assumption has become a reality now that the social policy of deinstitutionalization has progressed in many countries across the globe. A total of 15 studies were examined that assessed QoL as an outcome of community living following deinstitutionalization. Results indicated that relocation had a general positive impact on life quality of participants. However, many of the studies found that improvements were most prominent shortly after the move and plateaued after a year. Also, participants continued to have low levels of community integration. There was some evidence that healthcare needs might not be adequately met in the community. The role of service providers was indicated as vital in the continued development of participants' life quality. Common limitations of the studies reviewed included lack of subjective assessments of QoL and limited use of standardized measures of QoL. The authors note that the directions for future research should include examining whether QoL outcomes after deinstitutionalization are affected by level of ID and age of participants. Overall, additional empirical research is needed to identify the factors that are critical in enhancing QoL of participants in community‐based care following deinstitutionalization.

Frequency counts of all life events and life events perceived as negative play a role in the development of behaviour problems and depressive symptoms among adults with ID. The results have implications for interventions for behaviour problems following a life event, and for reducing depressive symptoms for adults with mild ID.