BACKGROUND: Compared with other parents, mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder or other neurodevelopmental disabilities experience more stress, illness, and psychiatric problems. Although the cumulative stress and disease burden of these mothers is exceptionally high, and associated with poorer outcomes in children, policies and practices primarily serve the identified child with disabilities. METHODS: A total of 243 mothers of children with disabilities were consented and randomized into either Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (mindfulness practice) or Positive Adult Development (positive psychology practice). Well-trained, supervised peer mentors led 6 weeks of group treatments in 1.5-hour weekly sessions, assessing mothers 6 times before, during, and up to 6 months after treatment. Mothers had children with autism (65%) or other disabilities (35%). At baseline, 85% of this community sample had significantly elevated stress, 48% were clinically depressed, and 41% had anxiety disorders. RESULTS: Using slopes-as-outcomes, mixed random effects models, both treatments led to significant reductions in stress, depression, and anxiety, and improved sleep and life satisfaction, with large effects in depression and anxiety. Mothers in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction versus Positive Adult Development had greater improvements in anxiety, depression, sleep, and well-being. Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder improved less in anxiety, but did not otherwise differ from their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies are warranted on how trained mentors and professionals can address the unmet mental health needs of mothers of children with developmental disabilities. Doing so improves maternal well-being and furthers their long-term caregiving of children with complex developmental, physical, and behavioral needs.
Objective: In 1992, Wilson and Brewer published a landmark study related to adults with intellectual disabilities' experiences of criminal victimisation and reasons for this social vulnerability. The purpose of this article is to review the existing literature, published since Wilson and Brewer, which describes the types of victimisation individuals with intellectual disability are most often reported to experience and the identified risk factors related to social vulnerability of adults with intellectual disability. Thus, we conducted a systematic literature review to identify the empirical research related to victimisation and social vulnerability of adults with intellectual disability. Method: We conducted a literature search of five databases to identify all articles related to victimisation or social vulnerability of adults with intellectual disability. Identified articles were coded for data related to participant characteristics (N, mean age, gender, and type of disability); type of victimisation; type of respondent; results; whether the study examined rate of victimisation; and whether the study identified risk factors for victimisation. Results: Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Sixteen studies focused on several forms of victimisation, including sexual abuse (n = 9) and multiple forms of victimisation (n = 7). Seven studies concerned risk factors for social vulnerability, identifying factors related to aspects of the person and aspects of the environment. Conclusion: While a sub-field of intellectual disability research related to victimisation-social vulnerability exists, more research is needed to understand the motives behind instances of victimisation and to prevent these experiences from occurring. We provide research, intervention, and policy recommendations. What is already known about this topic1 Compared to even a decade or two ago, adults with intellectual disability are increasingly living, working, and actively participating in the larger community. Especially when provided with necessary help and supports, most of these individuals live successful lives. 2 Compared to the general population, however, persons with intellectual disability are much more often the victims of crime and abusive incidents. 3 Certain adults with intellectual disability are more likely to be victimised. Risk factors include the presence of intellectual disability itself, as well as higher levels of behaviour problems and poor interpersonal competence. What this paper adds1 Using as its starting point a landmark article from Wilson and Brewer (1992), this study examined the past 23 years of the field of vulnerability-victimisation directed at adults with intellectual disabilities. We identified 23 articles, which varied in country of origin, design, reporter, and types of victimisation examined. 2 The field continues to be focused mostly on prevalence rates and risk factors for victimisation. Adults with intellectual disability continue to experience higher rates of abuse-victimisation, involving virtu...
Although individuals with disabilities are at increased risk of victimization, few studies examine persons with different disability conditions to determine whether distinctive cognitive-behavioral profiles are associated with different levels of social vulnerability. To determine the differences in social vulnerability and experiences of victimization, caregiver responses to a Social Vulnerability Questionnaire were examined for 103 caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Williams syndrome (WS), and Down syndrome (DS). Although all three groups experienced similar rates and types of victimization, the specific correlates of social vulnerability differed by disability. Individuals with ASD displayed less risk awareness and had less social protection; those with WS were rated higher on risk factors related to perceived vulnerability and parental independence; and those with DS had less risk awareness and were perceived to be more vulnerable. Safety interventions should be tailored to address each group's specific correlates of social vulnerability.
Individuals with WS, who are a socially vulnerable group in the real world, display behaviours that could also lead to victimisation online as well. As the Internet continues to become more accessible, more research is needed to increase online safety of individuals with WS and other IDDs. Implications for intervention and future research are discussed.
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