Supporting people with intellectual disabilities in psychological therapies for depression: A qualitative analysis of supporters’ experiences

Scott, K. et al. (2019) Supporting people with intellectual disabilities in psychological therapies for depression: A qualitative analysis of supporters’ experiences. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 32(2), pp. 323-335. (doi: 10.1111/jar.12529) (PMID:30264419)

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Abstract

Background: Clinicians recommend including carers or others in a supporting role in the therapy as an important adaptation of psychological therapies for people with intellectual disabilities. This nested qualitative study from a larger trial explored supporters’ experiences of supporting people with intellectual disabilities receiving behavioural activation or guided self‐help therapies for depression. Method: Twenty‐one purposively sampled supporters were interviewed. The semi‐structured interviews were subject to framework analysis, covering expectations of therapy, views of therapy sessions, relationships with therapist and participant, and perceived changes. Results: Supporters were positive about both therapies and reported both therapy‐specific and nonspecific therapeutic factors that had significant positive impacts on people's lives. Most supporters reported their involvement contributed to the interventions’ effectiveness, and helped establish closer relationships to the people they were supporting. Conclusions: The presence of supporters within psychological therapies for people with intellectual disabilities can be an effective adaptation to therapies for this population.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Williams, Professor Christopher and Jahoda, Professor Andrew and Knowles, Miss Dawn and Cooper, Professor Sally-Ann and Scott, Miss Katie and Appleton, Ms Kim and Melville, Professor Craig
Authors: Scott, K., Hatton, C., Knight, R., Singer, K., Knowles, D., Dagnan, D., Hastings, R. P., Appleton, K., Cooper, S.-A., Melville, C., Jones, R., Williams, C., and Jahoda, A.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
Journal Name:Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
Publisher:Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
ISSN:1360-2322
ISSN (Online):1468-3148
Published Online:28 September 2018

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