Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in adults with intellectual disabilities. Often there are additional disorders such as substance use, mood and anxiety disorders. The current study focuses on the feasibility and initial efficacy of prolonged exposure (PE) for PTSD in adults with mild intellectual disabilities. The…

Background: The present study examined the psychometric properties of the Anger Bodily Sensations Interview -- intellectual disabilities (ABSI-id), an adapted instrument to measure anger-related interoceptive awareness (IA) in individuals with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning (MID-BIF). Method: The ABSI-id was…

Background: Aggressive behaviour (AB) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) are common in people with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning, leading to adverse consequences for themselves and those around them. Method: We investigated the relationship between AB (both total and physical in particular) and NSSI and risk…

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of rhythm and dance on the aggression levels of students with mild mental disabilities. The sample group of the study consists of 40 students with mild mental disability, 20 of whom are in the experimental group and 20 in the control group, who continue their education in schools affiliated with the…

Background: Relationships between dynamic risk factors for externalising problem behaviour and group climate were investigated in 151 adult in-patients with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning in a Dutch secure residential facility. Method: Regression analysis was used to predict "total group climate…

Introduction: The assessment of well-being is crucial for measuring the effects of psychosocial interventions in people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of this study was to adapt and validate a measure of integrative well-being, the Pemberton Happiness Index (PHI) to use it specifically for this population. Methods: The Pemberton Happiness…

Background: Psychomotor therapy (PMT) is often applied in Dutch clinical practice to address aggressive behaviour in individuals with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning. However, the literature on clients' experiences is lacking. Methods: An interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyse the…

Various health problems of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are associated with their physical inactivity. The present study aimed at the understanding of physiological and psychological responses toward exergaming in seven young adults with mild to moderate ID after a single-session and a multiple-session condition, respectively. Their…

People with intellectual disabilities who experience mental health difficulties often have high levels of self-criticism and shame. Compassion-focused therapy is a therapeutic modality effective in working with such feelings. This article follows on from a previous compassion-focused therapy group study exploring the impact of two…

Research documenting the effects of trauma in early childhood describes the profound and long-term consequences of child abuse and neglect on the developing brain and the subsequent deficits in critical cognitive and social development. While educators have increasingly endeavoured to understand this impact and become more 'trauma-informed' in…

Background: Developments in digital technologies have transformed how people interact with the world, offering employment, education, communication, health benefits and entertainment. Research has shown that not everyone can easily access digital content, particularly people with intellectual disabilities. Despite internet access being recognised…

Background: Poor anger regulation is considered a risk factor of aggression in individuals with mild or borderline intellectual disabilities. Psychomotor therapy (PMT) targets anger regulation through body- and movement-oriented interventions. This study aims to inform practitioners on efficacy and research-base of PMT in this population. Method:…

Background: Gaining employment can be challenging for young adults with intellectual disability (ID). This study reports on a mentoring intervention to help counter barriers to employment. Method: A single-group, pre-post design was used. Eighteen young men with mild to moderate ID joined a local Men's Shed and were assigned a Shed member as their…

The phenomenon of falling in love among people with intellectual disability has not received much attention in research. In this study, seven Finnish young adults (5 women and 2 men) with mild intellectual disability (ID) were asked about their experiences of falling in love. They were interviewed with a qualitative themed interview method. The…

Background: Domestic violence against women is well researched in the general population, but much less so in relation to women with learning disabilities. This qualitative research study interviewed 15 women with learning disabilities who had experienced domestic violence about their experiences, the impact of the violence on them and their…