Personality development and intellectual disability

Specific personality traits and psychosocial adjustment in people with intellectual disability

In this study we examined how specific personality traits are related to psychosocial adjustment in people with intellectual disability. We studied 73 students with mild intellectual disability and 25 students with moderate intellectual disability who attended special schools in Poland. Personality traits were assessed with the Revised Edward Zigler-Yale Questionnaire (EZPQ-16R) and to assess adjustment we used a total-difficulties score in Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). We hypothesized a predictive relationship between the specific personality traits and adjustment. The relation between personality and adjustment was stronger in people with moderate intellectual disability than in people with mild intellectual disability. In students with moderate intellectual disability the relation between personality and adjustment was significant for each of the studied traits and in students with mild intellectual disability it was significant for negative-reaction tendency, and assignment alacrity. Obtained results indicate that specific traits are important to adjustment of people with intellectual disability.

Mental health challenges faced by autistic people

Mental health challenges impede the well-being of autistic people. This Review outlines contributing neurodevelopmental and physical health conditions, rates and developmental trajectories of mental health challenges experienced by autistic people, as well as unique clinical presentations. A framework is proposed to consider four contributing themes to aid personalized formulation: social-contextual determinants, adverse life experiences, autistic cognitive features, and shared genetic and early environmental predispositions. Current evidence-based and clinical-knowledge-informed intervention guidance and ongoing development of support are highlighted for specific mental health areas. Tailored mental health support for autistic people should be neurodivergence-informed, which is fundamentally humanistic and compatible with the prevailing bio-psycho-social frameworks. The personalized formulation should be holistic, considering physical health and transdiagnostic neurodevelopmental factors, intellectual and communication abilities, and contextual-experiential determinants and their interplay with autistic cognition and biology, alongside resilience. Supporting family well-being is integral. Mutual empathic understanding is fundamental to creating societies in which people across neurotypes are all empowered to thrive.

Facilitators of Sense of Belonging Among People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Systematic Review

Background: This review synthesizes the available literature regarding factors which facilitate a sense of belonging in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and provide a comprehensive integrative view of the subject. Methods: Four electronic databases were searched, and 13 studies met inclusion criteria for review. The "standard quality assessment criteria for evaluating primary research papers from a variety of fields" indicated satisfactory quality. Factors which facilitate a sense of belonging in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were analyzed into themes. Results: Sense of belonging is enhanced by feeling respected, accepted, and valued (Subjectivity). These experiences are more likely to be achieved in a familiar and safe environment (Dynamism), and with access to platforms for social interactions (Groundedness), where a sense of relatedness and connectedness achieved by shared experiences with others (Reciprocity). Sense of belonging is associated with committed action of people with disability, taking assertive action or being agentic (Self-determination). Conclusion: Sense of belonging is a unique concept that should be addressed in disability research and practice.

Cognitive profile of young well-trained athletes with intellectual disabilities

BACKGROUND

Previous research has shown that cognitive and motor skills are related. The precise impact of cognitive impairment on sport proficiency, however, is unknown.

AIMS

This study investigated group and individual differences in cognitive profiles in a large cohort of track and field athletes, basketball players, swimmers and table tennis players with (N=468) and without (N=162) intellectual disabilities (ID).

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Based on the Cattell-Horn-Carroll Theory of Cognitive abilities, eight subtests were selected for inclusion in a generic cognitive test (GCT) to assess executive functions and cognitive abilities relevant to sport, i.e., fluid reasoning, visual processing, reaction and decision speed, short-term memory and processing speed.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Reliability coefficients for the subtests ranged between 0.25 and 0.88 respectively. Factor analysis revealed two clusters of subtests, i.e., a speed-based factor (simple and complex reaction time and simple and complex visual search) and a performance-based factor (Corsi Memory, Tower of London, WASI Block Design and Matrix Reasoning). After controlling for psychomotor speed, the group of ID-athletes scored significantly lower than athletes without ID on all the GCT subtests, except the complex visual search test. When cognitive profiles of individual ID- athletes were examined, some obtained higher scores than the average norm values in the reference population.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The GCT is currently administered as part of the classification process for athletes with ID who compete in the Paralympic Games. The results of this study indicate that the complex visual search and Tower of London test in the GCT should be reconsidered.

Mismatch negativity, social cognition, and functional outcomes in patients after traumatic brain injury

Mismatch negativity is generated automatically, and is an early monitoring indicator of neuronal integrity impairment and functional abnormality in patients with brain injury, leading to decline of cognitive function. Antipsychotic medication cannot affect mismatch negativity. The present study aimed to explore the relationships of mismatch negativity with neurocognition, daily life and social functional outcomes in patients after brain injury. Twelve patients with traumatic brain injury and 12 healthy controls were recruited in this study. We examined neurocognition with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised China, and daily and social functional outcomes with the Activity of Daily Living Scale and Social Disability Screening Schedule, respectively. Mismatch negativity was analyzed from electroencephalogram recording. The results showed that mismatch negativity amplitudes decreased in patients with traumatic brain injury compared with healthy controls. Mismatch negativity amplitude was negatively correlated with measurements of neurocognition and positively correlated with functional outcomes in patients after traumatic brain injury. Further, the most significant positive correlations were found between mismatch negativity in the fronto-central region and measures of functional outcomes. The most significant positive correlations were also found between mismatch negativity at the FCz electrode and daily living function. Mismatch negativity amplitudes were extremely positively associated with Social Disability Screening Schedule scores at the Fz electrode in brain injury patients. These experimental findings suggest that mismatch negativity might efficiently reflect functional outcomes in patients after traumatic brain injury.