Effectiveness of a life story intervention for adults with intellectual disability and depressive and trauma-related complaints

Introduction: People with intellectual disability have a higher chance of developing mental disorders than the general population. Yet, few evidence-based interventions exist. This article evaluates My Lifestory, a narrative intervention tailored to people with intellectual disability and depressive or trauma-related complaints. Method: A quasi-experimental research design was adopted with an experimental condition (My Lifestory) and a matched control condition (care as usual). Measurements took place before the intervention, at the end of the intervention and at follow-up two months later. Measurements focused on psychiatric complaints, well-being, life satisfaction, mastery, and purpose in life. Results: Participants in the intervention condition improved more in psychiatric complaints, well-being, life satisfaction, and purpose in life, but not in mastery, than participants in the control condition. Effect sizes were large in the intervention condition and small in the control condition. Discussion: Despite some limitations, this study adds to the evidence base of this narrative intervention

Who Am I? A Life Story Intervention for Persons With Intellectual Disability and Psychiatric Problems

This article describes an innovative intervention based on narrative and life review therapy that is tailored to people with intellectual disability (ID) and psychiatric problems. The current study provides a first evaluation of the intervention. A symptom checklist (SCL-90) was used in a pre- and post-follow-up design, and a qualitative evaluation of the intervention was carried out with 25 participants. Results showed large changes in psychiatric symptoms, in particular on depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and interpersonal sensitivity. Participants were mainly positive in their general explicit evaluations of the therapy as well as on personal learning points, intervention-specific, group-related, and therapist-related aspects. It is concluded that the intervention is promising for the treatment of people with ID and psychiatric complaints

De levensverhaleninterventie Wie ben ik?: Veranderingen in psychische klachten en welbevinden bij mensen met psychiatrische problemen en een verstandelijke beperking of zwakbegaafdheid

This article discusses a new intervention, which is specifically designed for people with psychiatric complaints and intellectual disabilities. The intervention is based on narrative and life-review therapy. Changes in psychiatric complaints (OQ-45) and mental well-being (MHC-SF) were studied in a pre- and-post design with 20 participants. Changes in possible effective factors, life satisfaction (SWLS), mastery (MS), and purpose in life (PIL) were also assessed. The results showed a decrease in psychiatric symptoms, and an increase in mental well-being, mastery, and life satisfaction. Changes were largest in participants with depressive complaints. It can be concluded that the intervention looks promising for the treatment of people with psychiatric complaints and intellectual disabilities

Het bevorderen van capabilities in de praktijk van zorg

De Capability Benadering zoals uitgewerkt door Amartya Sen en Martha Nussbaum wordt toegankelijk gemaakt voor mensen die werken met mensen met een verstandelijke beperkin