Life events as a risk factor for psychological problems in individuals with intellectual disabilities: a critical review

Abstract

Background Stressful life events such as bereavement, moving house and changing jobs have repeatedly been implicated as risk factors for mental and physical ill health. Since the 1940s, researchers have demonstrated the negative effects of stressful life events, refined methods of recording such events and investigated the relative impact of different types of event. These investigations have generally not extended to include people with intellectual disabilities. Methods We conducted a narrative review of research on life events as they occur to people with intellectual disabilities and critically assessed the evidence that life events function as a risk factor for psychological problems. Evidence was reviewed for an association between life events and a range of outcome variables, including affective disorders, challenging behaviour, psychosis and psychological problems more generally. We also critiqued the methodology behind the current evidence base and discussed a number of methodological advances that would help to strengthen it. Conclusions There is reasonable evidence that life events are associated with psychological problems,

Can a computerised training paradigm assist people with intellectual disabilities to learn cognitive mediation skills? A randomised experiment

“…Prevalence rates of mental health problems among people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) vary widely depending on the diagnostic criteria and assessments used, with recent estimates suggesting that between thirteen and forty percent of people with IDs are affected (Cooper, Smiley, Morrison, Williamson, & Allan, 2007;Deb, Thomas, & Bright, 2001;Emerson & Hatton, 2007). The high prevalence rates, when compared to the general population, can be partly explained by the genetic vulnerability of people with IDs, and disadvantageous life events such as stigmatisation and isolation (Clarke, 2003;Cooper et al, 2007;Emerson & Hatton, 2007;Hulbert-Williams & Hastings, 2008;Reiss & Benson, 1984).…”

“…The high prevalence rates, when compared to the general population, can be partly explained by the genetic vulnerability of people with IDs, and disadvantageous life events such as stigmatisation and isolation (Clarke, 2003;Cooper et al, 2007;Emerson & Hatton, 2007;Hulbert-Williams & Hastings, 2008;Reiss & Benson, 1984).…”

“…This may improve the accessibility of therapy (Vereenooghe & Langdon, 2013) for a population with a high prevalence of mental health problems (Clarke, 2003;Emerson & Hatton, 2007;Hulbert-Williams & Hastings, 2008;Reiss & Benson, 1984).…”

“…Prevalence rates of mental health problems among people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) vary widely depending on the diagnostic criteria and assessments used, with recent estimates suggesting that between thirteen and forty percent of people with IDs are affected (Cooper, Smiley, Morrison, Williamson, & Allan, 2007;Deb, Thomas, & Bright, 2001;Emerson & Hatton, 2007). The high prevalence rates, when compared to the general population, can be partly explained by the genetic vulnerability of people with IDs, and disadvantageous life events such as stigmatisation and isolation (Clarke, 2003;Cooper et al, 2007;Emerson & Hatton, 2007;Hulbert-Williams & Hastings, 2008;Reiss & Benson, 1984).Even though people with IDs have an elevated risk of developing mental health problems, the evidence regarding the efficacy of psychological therapies for this population has only been emerging slowly. A recent meta-analysis concluded that cognitive behavioural therapy was at least moderately effective for the treatment of anger regulation problems and depression (Vereenooghe and Langdon, 2013), and previous reviews have also supported the potential benefits of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for anger management (Hamelin, Travis and Sturmey, 2013;Nicoll, Beail and Saxon, 2013).…”

Do persons with intellectual disability and limited verbal capacities respond to trauma treatment?

“…There is also tentative evidence for a causal role of life events with regard to psychological problems (Hulbert-Williams & Hastings, 2008). However, a recent review of the literature revealed that (1) there are no reliable and valid instruments for assessing PTSD in this population, (2) prevalence data on PTSD in people with ID are lacking, and (3) there are no evidence-based treatment methods for people with ID who suffer from PTSD (Mevissen & De Jongh, 2010).…”