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

Janny Beernink*, Gerben J. Westerhof

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    5 Citations (Scopus)
    157 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Introduction: People with intellectual disability have a higher chance of developing mental disorders than the general population. Yet, few evidence-based interventions exist. This article evaluates My Lifestory, a narrative intervention tailored to people with intellectual disability and depressive or trauma-related complaints. Method: A quasi-experimental research design was adopted with an experimental condition (My Lifestory) and a matched control condition (care as usual). Measurements took place before the intervention, at the end of the intervention and at follow-up two months later. Measurements focused on psychiatric complaints, well-being, life satisfaction, mastery, and purpose in life. Results: Participants in the intervention condition improved more in psychiatric complaints, well-being, life satisfaction, and purpose in life, but not in mastery, than participants in the control condition. Effect sizes were large in the intervention condition and small in the control condition. Discussion: Despite some limitations, this study adds to the evidence base of this narrative intervention.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1340-1347
    Number of pages8
    JournalJournal of applied research in intellectual disabilities
    Volume33
    Issue number6
    Early online date15 Jun 2020
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2020

    Keywords

    • UT-Hybrid-D
    • intellectual disability
    • life story intervention
    • quisi-experimental study
    • trauma-related complaints
    • depressive complaints

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Effectiveness of a life story intervention for adults with intellectual disability and depressive and trauma-related complaints'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this