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

Abstract

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.

Challenging behaviours: Views and preferences of people with intellectual disabilities

“…This is in line with previous studies that underscore the importance of participation by the person and other relevant stakeholders (Gore et al, ). In addition to previous studies that reported on the views of people with ID on specific therapies for different challenging behaviours (Hassiotis et al, ; Hays, Murphy, Langdon, Rose, & Reed, ; Pert et al, ; Westerhof, Beernink, & Sools, ), the present authors were able to help reduce the identified lack of information on experiences of specific psychological interventions (Griffith et al, ) by collecting positive attitudes on EMDR, group therapy regarding addiction and assertiveness courses. However, most interviewees were most enthusiastic about doing sports or other physical activities, perhaps because these are more “visible” and fun.…”

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

“…Participants in the experimental condition followed the intervention My Lifestory. The present authors previously used the name Who am I?, but the content of the intervention is the same as described in detail in Westerhof et al (2016). My Lifestory consists of 17 weekly structured one-to-one or group sessions, each lasting for 1.5-2 hr.…”

Behavioural activation versus guided self-help for depression in adults with learning disabilities: the BeatIt RCT

“…Previous research asking people with learning disabilities about their experiences of undergoing psychological therapy has found that people valued specific techniques used as part of the particular intervention they were receiving, but placed more emphasis on the non-specific aspects of their therapy such as the therapeutic relationship, being listened to and respected by the therapist, and being able to talk about their lives. 74,75 People with learning disabilities participating in a group intervention found it challenging to talk about their individual feelings in a group context. 75 Having a supporter (whether a family member or a paid carer) with the person with learning disabilities during at least part of a psychological intervention has been suggested as an important adjustment to the routine therapy process, to assist people undergoing the therapy with motivation and activities between therapy sessions.…”

“…74,75 People with learning disabilities participating in a group intervention found it challenging to talk about their individual feelings in a group context. 75 Having a supporter (whether a family member or a paid carer) with the person with learning disabilities during at least part of a psychological intervention has been suggested as an important adjustment to the routine therapy process, to assist people undergoing the therapy with motivation and activities between therapy sessions. [76][77][78] Research on the impact of the presence of a member of staff as a supporter during psychological interventions with people with learning disabilities is mixed; 74,79 however, research asking supporters directly about their experiences is lacking.…”