ERIC Number: EJ1461071
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jan
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-2322
EISSN: EISSN-1468-3148
Available Date: 2025-01-29
Exploring the Acceptability of a Peer-Delivered Mental Health Intervention to Support Young Adults with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities
Ariel Schwartz1,2; Nikola Davern3; Alix Herer3; Micah Peace-Urquilla3; Jesse Corey3; Dheva Muthuramalingam3; Neha Vallabhaneni2
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, v38 n1 e70014 2025
Background: Young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities lack access to mental health supports. Peer-delivered services may fill this gap. We adapted a theory-driven and evidence-based peer mentoring intervention for virtual-delivery and investigated its acceptability and participants' preliminary response. Methods: Twelve young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities participated in the 16-week intervention and completed outcome measures at pre-mentoring, post-mentoring and 1-month follow-up. To evaluate acceptability, participants completed interviews and a survey. Preliminary response was measured with the Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children and PROMIS short forms (Self-efficacy for Managing Emotions, Anxiety, and Physical Stress). Results: Participants felt emotionally supported, increased self-understanding, and learned to use coping strategies. Participants reported improvements in alexithymia, self-efficacy for managing emotions and anxiety; no changes were observed for physical stress symptoms. Conclusions: Participants were satisfied with peer mentoring and data suggest it may have promise to support development of skills that support mental health outcomes.
Descriptors: Intellectual Disability, Developmental Disabilities, Access to Health Care, Mental Health, Peer Teaching, Mentors, Intervention, Young Adults, Program Effectiveness, Self Efficacy, Coping, Emotional Response, Anxiety, Stress Management
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: 90SFGE00310100
Author Affiliations: 1Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA; 2Department of Occupational Therapy, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; 3Independent Contractor