Adapting psychological interventions for people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities: a behavioural activation exemplar

Jahoda, A. , Dagnan, D., Hastings, R., Gillooly, A., Miller, J., Baines, S. and Hatton, C. (2024) Adapting psychological interventions for people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities: a behavioural activation exemplar. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 37(2), e13199. (doi: 10.1111/jar.13199)

Abstract

Background: People with severe to profound intellectual disabilities experience similar or higher levels of depression than those with more mild intellectual disabilities. Yet, there is an absence of evidence about how to adapt existing psychological therapies for this population. Method: A behavioural activation intervention (BeatIt) for people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities was adapted for people with severe to profound intellectual disabilities and depression. Key considerations include: (i) beginning with a more in-depth assessment process; (ii) including the person in session activities and developing a relationship with them; (iii) formulation and the use of film to document the link between activity and mood; and (iv) addressing barriers to change at an individual and inter-personal level and considering how the carer could support the person's engagement in activity. Results: Successfully adapting BeatIt represents a first step towards gathering evidence about the effectiveness of behavioural activation for people with severe to profound intellectual disabilities.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hastings, Professor Richard and Jahoda, Professor Andrew and Gillooly, Dr Amanda and Dagnan, Professor Dave
• Authors: Jahoda, A., Dagnan, D., Hastings, R., Gillooly, A., Miller, J., Baines, S., and Hatton, C.
• 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
• ISSN: 1360-2322
• ISSN (Online): 1468-3148
• Published Online: 26 January 2024
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2024 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities 37(2):e13199
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
301173		Behavioural activation (BeatIt) for depression in adults with severe intellectual disabilities. A feasibility randomised controlled study of BeatIt versus treatment as usual	Andrew Jahoda	Baily Thomas Charitable Fund (BAILYTHO)	TRUST/VC/AC/SG/4776-7700	SHW - Mental Health & Wellbeing