'Standing up for Myself' (STORM): Development and qualitative evaluation of a psychosocial group intervention designed to increase the capacity of people with intellectual disabilities to manage and resist stigma

BACKGROUND

People with intellectual disabilities are at risk of experiencing stigma and require the skills and confidence to deal with stigma in their daily lives.

METHOD

Development and piloting of a 5-session manualised psychosocial group intervention designed to increase the capacity of people with intellectual disabilities aged 16+ to manage and resist stigma. Ten pre-existing groups (N = 67) in third sector and education settings participated. Interviews with participants (n = 26), facilitators (n = 9) and significant others (n = 7) 2-4 months after the intervention assessed perceived impact.

RESULTS

Perceived benefits of the intervention for participants included increased understanding, improved connections with others, drive for advocacy, increased activity and self-efficacy, and opportunity to process difficult events and emotions. Differential impact depending on individuals' pre-existing self-advocacy skills was noted.

CONCLUSIONS

This early-stage study indicates that further evaluation is merited to examine feasibility and outcomes of the STORM intervention.

The psychological and social impact of self-advocacy group membership on people with intellectual disabilities: A literature review

BACKGROUND

There is no one agreed definition of self-advocacy, but it can be taken to include actions and concepts such as standing up for one's rights and self-determination.

METHOD

A review of studies examining the psychological and social impact of self-advocacy group membership on people with intellectual disabilities was conducted. Systematic searches of electronic databases (PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science and ProQuest's Sociology Database), and manual searches of reference lists and citations, identified 12 studies.

RESULTS

"Empowerment" and "increased confidence" were frequently reported outcomes. "Belonging," increased opportunities for social connections and changed self-identity were also key themes.

CONCLUSIONS

Limitations of the review included difficulty categorizing outcomes, and limitations of the evidence base included a lack of quantitative studies. Implications of the review include an observation that the role of self-advocates in the research literature could be extended to the co-construction of research agendas.

The key principles of cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) explores the links between thoughts, emotions and behaviour. It is a directive, time-limited, structured approach used to treat a variety of mental health disorders. It aims to alleviate distress by helping patients to develop more adaptive cognitions and behaviours. It is the most widely researched and empirically supported psychotherapeutic method. This strong evidence base is reflected in clinical guidelines, which recommend it as a treatment for many common mental health disorders.

Informing women about their breast cancer risks: truth and consequences

We assessed the extent to which informing women about their risk for breast cancer affected their perceived 10-year and lifetime risks for getting breast cancer, their emotional reactions toward getting breast cancer, and their intentions to get mammograms. In a pre- to posttest design, 121 women were given their 10-year risk of getting breast cancer with or without being compared with women their age and race at lowest risk. Women's perceptions of their 10-year risks became more congruent (i.e., more accurate) with their actual risk. Participants were more accurate when they received their own risk without being compared with women at lowest risk. Women who received only their own risk estimate reported being at lower risk than other women. Overall, women reported that obtaining their 10-year risk estimate either did not affect or increased their intentions to get mammograms. These results suggest that giving women their individual risk of getting breast cancer improves accuracy while also enhancing their feelings that they are at lower risk than other women. Counter to many theories of health behavior, reducing women's perceived risk of breast cancer did not lower their intentions to get mammograms. Implications for the communication of breast cancer risk are discussed.

Testing different formats for communicating colorectal cancer risk

This study assessed the extent to which different formats of informing men and women age 50 and over of the risks of colorectal cancer (CRC) affected their perceptions of their absolute and comparative (self versus other) 10-year and lifetime risks; emotional reactions about getting CRC; and screening intentions. Forty-four men and 78 women received information about the absolute lifetime risk of getting CRC. In addition, participants either did or did not receive information about (1) lifetime risk of getting CRC compared with other cancers, and (2) risk factors for CRC (age and polyps). Participants who received risk factors information were more likely to increase their perceived absolute 10-year and lifetime risks of getting CRC compared with participants who did not receive risk factors information. In addition, participants who received risk factors information were more likely to believe age was related to getting CRC and felt at greater risk for having polyps compared with participants who did not receive this information. None of the experimental conditions affected how worried, anxious, and fearful participants felt about getting CRC, nor did they affect screening intentions. Independent of experimental condition, participants tended to increase their intentions to get screened for CRC in the next year or two. Intention to be screened was more pronounced among participants who had been screened via a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or sigmoidoscopy (SIG). Implications for the design of interventions involving the communication of CRC risks are discussed.

[Peritoneography for identification of non palpable herniation]

Peritoneography with trijodic contrast medium is a simple but very effective method to identify non palpable herniations causing inguinal pain of unknown origin. It is also very useful for early detection of recurrent herniations after surgery as well as for diagnosis of non palpable umbilical herniations in adipose patients, and for demonstration of herniastions of the abdominal wall after trauma. Technique of investigation and radiological symptoms are described following experience with 154 outpatients. In 25% of these patients during clinical investigation no herniation was found.