Intellectual disability and autism in adults influence psychological treatments for mental health comorbidities

Mills, Rachel, Nathan, Rajan, Soper, Paul, Michelet, Felix, Stewart, Alex GG ORCID: 0000-0002-4931-5340 and Jaydeokar, Sujeet (2023) Intellectual disability and autism in adults influence psychological treatments for mental health comorbidities. ADVANCES IN MENTAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, 17 (2). pp. 61-72.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/amhid-12-2021-0050

Abstract

<jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Purpose</jats:title> <jats:p>The purpose of the study was to examine whether there were differences in the provision of non-pharmacological interventions based on the level of intellectual disability and the presence or absence of autism. Mental health conditions are often underdiagnosed in adults with intellectual disability and do not always receive psychological interventions as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellent guidelines. To realise the national UK programme’s aim of stopping the overuse of medications in people with intellectual disability, it is important that these individuals have access to appropriate non-pharmacological interventions. The authors examined the relationship between an individual’s level of intellectual disability and the presence or absence of autism with access to relevant non-pharmacological interventions from specialist community intellectual disability services.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Design/methodology/approach</jats:title> <jats:p>A cross-sectional study of adults accessing four specialist intellectual disability services in North West England in 2019.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Findings</jats:title> <jats:p>There was a high prevalence of mental health comorbidity, even higher for autistic adults. However, a relatively small percentage of the study population was receiving psychological interventions. The most frequent non-pharmacological intervention was a positive behaviour support plan, irrespective of comorbid mental illnesses.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Research limitations/implications</jats:title> <jats:p>Not having access to psychological interventions for the treatment of mental illness could result in poor health outcomes and increasing health inequalities. The study highlights the need for developing psychological interventions, particularly for those with moderate to severe intellectual disability and for those with associated autism.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Originality/value</jats:title> <jats:p>This large sample study examined the relationship between intellectual disability level and the presence of autism with accessing psychological interventions.</jats:p> </jats:sec>

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Learning disability, PBS, STOMP, Mental illness, Cognitive behavioural therapy, Anxiety management
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	02 Jan 2024 15:56
Last Modified:	02 Jan 2024 15:56
DOI:	10.1108/AMHID-12-2021-0050
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-12-2021-0050
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3177648