Exploring the ability of individuals with an intellectual disability to generate and use a compassionate image

Trauma-informed counseling for individuals who have an intellectual developmental disorder: Considerations for mental health counselors

Individuals with an intellectual developmental disorder are four times more likely to have a co-occurring mental health diagnosis, as compared to the general population, and 60%-80% of individuals with IDDs have experienced at least one form of abuse. However, counselors receive little training to adequately help this population. In this article, counseling considerations related to individuals who have intellectual development disorder are discussed, with a particular focus on the presence of trauma in this population. Trauma-focused treatment, potential mental health issues, counseling considerations, general issues related to counseling this population, and common associated mental health experiences among this population are addressed. Specific evidence-based counseling approaches, modifications to counseling, and best practices that can be helpful when counseling this population are presented. Due to the unique challenges that individuals with IDDs face, it is essential that counselors address the counseling and mental health needs of this population.

The phenomenology of mental imagery in people with intellectual disabilities

OBJECTIVES

Mental imagery is important in the development and maintenance of psychological disorders and well-being but has been neglected in people with intellectual disabilities. A detailed idiographic analysis of the lived experience of mental imagery in this population is presented.

DESIGN

This qualitative study uses interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). It involved inclusive research methods with people with intellectual disabilities and other stakeholders (including family members, advocates, support workers and intellectual disability service managers).

METHODS

Ten individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with people with mild-moderate intellectual disabilities. Participants were opportunistically sampled through organisations providing community services to people with intellectual disabilities in the UK. Two men and eight women (mean age 43 years) participated. Interviews were audio-recorded and analysed using IPA.

RESULTS

People with intellectual disabilities are able to experience a range of rich and detailed mental images across all sensory modalities. Participants reported changes in affect based on mental imagery, and an ability to experience both spontaneous and deliberate mental images. The emotional saliency of the object of mental imagery appeared to influence participants' ability to engage with imagery. A number of adaptations make mental imagery more accessible and easier to report. The ability of people with intellectual disabilities to experience vivid mental imagery has important clinical implications for the use of a range of mental imagery interventions with this population.

CONCLUSIONS

The need to consider mental imagery interventions for this population, and how these can be adapted to ensure accessibility is a priority for people with intellectual disabilities and psychological disorders.

A systematic review and narrative synthesis of mental imagery tasks in people with an intellectual disability: Implications for psychological therapies

Mental imagery is recognised for its role in both psychological distress and wellbeing, with mental imagery techniques increasingly being incorporated into psychological interventions. In this systematic review and narrative synthesis (PROSPERO 2021: CRD42021240930), we identify and evaluate the evidence base for the phenomenon and phenomenology of mental imagery in people with intellectual disabilities, to ascertain the applicability of such interventions for this population. Electronic searches of nine databases and grey literature identified relevant publications. Two reviewers independently assessed titles and abstracts of retrieved records (n = 8609) and full-text articles (n = 101) against eligibility criteria. Data were extracted and quality appraised. Forty-onepapers met our eligibility criteria. The quality and designs were variable. Mental imagery was facilitated through ensuring participants understood tasks, providing opportunity to rehearse tasks (including using concrete prompts) and using scaffolding to help participants elaborate their responses. People with intellectual disabilities can engage with mental imagery, with appropriate adaptations, although the associated phenomenology has not been thoroughly investigated. Mental imagery interventions may be useful for people with intellectual disabilities with appropriate modifications.